When a young boy emigrates from India to Britain, from a sunny, warm place to a grey, wintry place, adjusting can be an enormous problem. Siddharth attends a new British school for the first time, and Rinki is his favorite stuffed elephant, the best reminder of his life far away. Although his teacher and fellow classmates are friendly, Rinki is the only one that he can speak to about his feelings. When the elephant becomes lost, the other kids recognize that this very precious possession must be found, and Siddharth leads them everywhere until they find the lost-property room, all in darkness until the golden elephant shines out from the top shelf. The loose but realistic watercolors show a happy primary classroom. When Siddharth dreams of India near the beginning and then leads an exuberant march with Rinki on a pillow in the last double-page spread, the pages glow with color. The text employs a nice mix of alliteration and repetition: “…and slow, solemn Rinki remembered and understood.” A quiet story about immigration that focuses on small but common emotions. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-84853-008-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tamarind/Trafalgar
Review Posted Online: June 28, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2010
Though a tad didactic and not as sweet as the first, Ruzzier’s second in the Bear and Bee series offers young readers an...
Bear and Bee learn that things aren’t very much fun without a friend to share them with.
In their second outing (Bear and Bee, 2013), Bear and Bee’s new friendship is tested as Bear tries to entice Bee into doing his favorite things with him, while Bee is busy with chores. Despite such diversions as rolling down the hill, climbing a tree and splashing in the pond, Bee’s chores (watering plants, cooking, sweeping) take precedence over spending time with Bear, a situation sure to be familiar to children who have similarly busy parents. Bears sums it up neatly when he remarks, “Oh Bee….Having fun is not as fun without you.” Repetitive refrains will get listeners participating and help new readers build confidence: “Come and….You will love it!... // “No thank you….I’m too busy to….” The shoe is on the other foot after Bear falls asleep and Bee wants to gaze at the moon with him. Unsurprisingly, Bear’s too busy. But Bee’s clever compromise is a happy resolution for both friends. Throughout, the simple illustrations captivate (and sometimes stun) with their Seuss-ian colors.
Though a tad didactic and not as sweet as the first, Ruzzier’s second in the Bear and Bee series offers young readers an important lesson that goes down easy. What will be next for the two friends? (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: March 18, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4231-5961-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: Jan. 21, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2014
A touching, delectably illustrated circus story that applauds the underdog.
Jane may not be the strongest or most fearless performer in the Barnaby Beluchi Circus, but she’s a really good dog.
In this sparely written read-aloud, the pictures tell the story. Jane cowers in a corner, paws over eyes, while her six brothers are shot out of cannons. She scratches a possible flea while her ballerina mother dances atop a galloping horse. Not daring, not graceful, “Jane was just Jane.” Youngsters will relate to the fear of not living up to the expectations of others…but they will also recognize how treasured the loving puppy is: Adoration shines from the eyes of her dear friend the ringmaster. Harrison’s expressive, beautifully rendered acrylic-on-board paintings effectively capture Jane’s quiet role in the exciting, extravagant world of the big top. The colorful compositions are all the more striking due to the crisp white backgrounds and dramatically varied perspectives, from the dizzying high wire to circus ring–level, where Jane accidentally plows down her fellow performers with a giant red balancing ball. Small moments steal the show here, both heartrendingly cute ones, like the ringmaster toweling Jane off after her bath, and funny ones, such as the contrast of Jane’s blob painting of the ringmaster with the artistic elephant’s more refined portrait.
A touching, delectably illustrated circus story that applauds the underdog. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3914-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2014
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