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
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it.
What happens when a robot washes up alone on an island?
“Everything was just right on the island.” Brown beautifully re-creates the first days of Roz, the protagonist of his Wild Robot novels, as she adapts to living in the natural world. A storm-tossed ship, seen in the opening just before the title page, and a packing crate are the only other human-made objects to appear in this close-up look at the robot and her new home. Roz emerges from the crate, and her first thought as she sets off up a grassy hill—”This must be where I belong”—is sweetly glorious, a note of recognition rather than conquest. Roz learns to move, hide, and communicate like the creatures she meets. When she discovers an orphaned egg—and the gosling Brightbill, who eventually hatches—her decision to be his mother seems a natural extension of her adaptation. Once he flies south for the winter, her quiet wait across seasons for his return is a poignant portrayal of separation and change. Brown’s clean, precise lines and deep, light-filled colors offer a sense of what Roz might be seeing, suggesting a place that is alive yet deeply serene and radiant. Though the book stands alone, it adds an immensely appealing dimension to Roz’s world. Round thumbnails offer charming peeks into the island world, depicting Roz’s animal neighbors and Brightbill’s maturation.
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 24, 2025
ISBN: 9780316669467
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
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
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