From Spain via Québec, an amusing, intriguing, enticing visual whodunit.
The mysterious disappearance of hens threatens Chickentown’s annual Golden Feather competition.
Hens are treated like “beloved members of every family” in Chickentown, where each year one hen is honored with the coveted Best Hen of the Year award. Several days before the competition, Mrs. Sillyfeather’s hen, Scarlett, vanishes, mysterious footprints in her bedroom the only clue. Then the Fairbeak hen, Gwendolyn, disappears, her wing chair raked by claws. Next Rufina Cluckaday goes missing, clumps of reddish fur left behind, followed the next night by Clarabelle Spatchcock after a strange shadow appears in her bedroom. Chickentown’s “resident witch,” Miss Henrietta, devises a plan to trap the culprit. After Miss Henrietta feeds her own hen, Lucinda, a luminous magic star, the bird shines “with the glow of a thousand lights.” Waiting until a fox shockingly appears and absconds with brave Lucinda, Miss Henrietta follows the trail of light her hen emits. Miss Henrietta finds the four missing hens unharmed—but no fox in sight. While the text neglects to explain what has really happened, a close study of the clue-laden illustrations reveals the strange, unexpected answer to the Chickentown mystery. Rendered in precise outlines, fascinating patterns, and explosive color washes, the detailed, eccentric illustrations definitely are worth discerning examination. Not only do they offer clues to the cunning culprit’s identity and motive, but they also delight with sly humor, memorable hens, and a fabulous witch (who presents White and has a head of bushy red hair).
From Spain via Québec, an amusing, intriguing, enticing visual whodunit. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-2-89802-274-6
Page Count: 48
Publisher: CrackBoom! Books
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among
Pete, the cat who couldn’t care less, celebrates Christmas with his inimitable lassitude.
If it weren’t part of the title and repeated on every other page, readers unfamiliar with Pete’s shtick might have a hard time arriving at “groovy” to describe his Christmas celebration, as the expressionless cat displays not a hint of groove in Dean’s now-trademark illustrations. Nor does Pete have a great sense of scansion: “On the first day of Christmas, / Pete gave to me… / A road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” The cat is shown at the wheel of a yellow microbus strung with garland and lights and with a star-topped tree tied to its roof. On the second day of Christmas Pete gives “me” (here depicted as a gray squirrel who gets on the bus) “2 fuzzy gloves, and a road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” On the third day, he gives “me” (now a white cat who joins Pete and the squirrel) “3 yummy cupcakes,” etc. The “me” mentioned in the lyrics changes from day to day and gift to gift, with “4 far-out surfboards” (a frog), “5 onion rings” (crocodile), and “6 skateboards rolling” (a yellow bird that shares its skateboards with the white cat, the squirrel, the frog, and the crocodile while Pete drives on). Gifts and animals pile on until the microbus finally arrives at the seaside and readers are told yet again that it’s all “GROOVY!”
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among . (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-06-267527-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 19, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle...
Making things is difficult work. Readers will recognize the stages of this young heroine’s experience as she struggles to realize her vision.
First comes anticipation. The artist/engineer is spotted jauntily pulling a wagonload of junkyard treasures. Accompanied by her trusty canine companion, she begins drawing plans and building an assemblage. The narration has a breezy tone: “[S]he makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” The colorful caricatures and creations contrast with the digital black outlines on a white background that depict an urban neighborhood. Intermittent blue-gray panels break up the white expanses on selected pages showing sequential actions. When the first piece doesn’t turn out as desired, the protagonist tries again, hoping to achieve magnificence. A model of persistence, she tries many adjustments; the vocabulary alone offers constructive behaviors: she “tinkers,” “wrenches,” “fiddles,” “examines,” “stares” and “tweaks.” Such hard work, however, combines with disappointing results, eventually leading to frustration, anger and injury. Explosive emotions are followed by defeat, portrayed with a small font and scaled-down figures. When the dog, whose expressions have humorously mirrored his owner’s through each phase, retrieves his leash, the resulting stroll serves them well. A fresh perspective brings renewed enthusiasm and—spoiler alert—a most magnificent scooter sidecar for a loyal assistant.
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle characterization for maximum delight. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-55453-704-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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