Though the story is on the bland side, the illustrations show that Regordosa has real promise.
When wild dreams threaten, it’s Sir Muffin Muffinsson to the rescue!
Fluffy white cat Sir Muffin always keeps a watch over white human baby Emma in her crib. One night seven Dustrats (one for each day Emma’s room has gone without tidying) pop out from beneath the skirt of her bed. Sir Muffin grabs his vacuum and chases after the Dustrats before they can make a mess of the whole house. “Monday’s Dustrat is gobbling up delicious cookies in the kitchen. / Crumbs everywhere!” Suddenly the room is overtaken by penguins and polar bears—Emma’s dreams are taking over. Tuesday’s Dustrat is napping in an enchanted forest in the living room. Wednesday’s is in a castle besieged by a dragon in the attic! Sir Muffin catches each Dustrat, but in the meantime, Emma’s dreams have gotten out of control. Can Sir Muffin save her? Not alone he can’t! Readers of Regordosa’s tale of steadfast pussycat Sir Muffin are likely to find that the occasional tinny-sounding, old-fashioned exclamations (“Lo!”; “Zounds!”) fall flat, unjustified by the story. The detailed and trippy illustrations are the real stars here, especially the adorable Dustrats, who clothe themselves in discarded socks. The seek-and-find game inherent in each themed double-page spread of dreamlike wackiness will entertain.
Though the story is on the bland side, the illustrations show that Regordosa has real promise. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: May 16, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-57687-821-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: POW!
Review Posted Online: March 5, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2017
Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story.
A home-renovation project is interrupted by a family of wrens, allowing a young girl an up-close glimpse of nature.
Renata and her father enjoy working on upgrading their bathroom, installing a clawfoot bathtub, and cutting a space for a new window. One warm night, after Papi leaves the window space open, two wrens begin making a nest in the bathroom. Rather than seeing it as an unfortunate delay of their project, Renata and Papi decide to let the avian carpenters continue their work. Renata witnesses the birth of four chicks as their rosy eggs split open “like coats that are suddenly too small.” Renata finds at a crucial moment that she can help the chicks learn to fly, even with the bittersweet knowledge that it will only hasten their exits from her life. Rosen uses lively language and well-chosen details to move the story of the baby birds forward. The text suggests the strong bond built by this Afro-Latinx father and daughter with their ongoing project without needing to point it out explicitly, a light touch in a picture book full of delicate, well-drawn moments and precise wording. Garoche’s drawings are impressively detailed, from the nest’s many small bits to the developing first feathers on the chicks and the wall smudges and exposed wiring of the renovation. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.)
Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: March 16, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-12320-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2021
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
