by Albert Arrayás ; illustrated by Albert Arrayás ; translated by Carine Laforest ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 4, 2021
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
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by Emily Matheis ; illustrated by Albert Arrayás
by Christopher Denise ; illustrated by Christopher Denise ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 15, 2022
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn.
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A young owl achieves his grand ambition.
Owl, an adorably earnest and gallant little owlet, dreams of being a knight. He imagines himself defeating dragons and winning favor far and wide through his brave exploits. When a record number of knights go missing, Owl applies to Knight School and is surprisingly accepted. He is much smaller than the other knights-in-training, struggles to wield weapons, and has “a habit of nodding off during the day.” Nevertheless, he graduates and is assigned to the Knight Night Watch. While patrolling the castle walls one night, a hungry dragon shows up and Owl must use his wits to avoid meeting a terrible end. The result is both humorous and heartwarming, offering an affirmation of courage and clear thinking no matter one’s size…and demonstrating the power of a midnight snack. The story never directly addresses the question of the missing knights, but it is hinted that they became the dragon’s fodder, leaving readers to question Owl’s decision to befriend the beast. Humor is supplied by the characters’ facial expressions and accented by the fact that Owl is the only animal in his order of big, burly human knights. Denise’s accomplished digital illustrations—many of which are full bleeds—often use a warm sepia palette that evokes a feeling of antiquity, and some spreads feature a pleasing play of chiaroscuro that creates suspense and drama.
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-316-31062-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 15, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2022
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by Anitra Rowe Schulte ; illustrated by Christopher Denise
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by Maryrose Wood ; illustrated by Christopher Denise
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by Anika Denise ; illustrated by Christopher Denise
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by Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Steve Jenkins ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 18, 2014
A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers.
Echoing the meter of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Ward uses catchy original rhymes to describe the variety of nests birds create.
Each sweet stanza is complemented by a factual, engaging description of the nesting habits of each bird. Some of the notes are intriguing, such as the fact that the hummingbird uses flexible spider web to construct its cup-shaped nest so the nest will stretch as the chicks grow. An especially endearing nesting behavior is that of the emperor penguin, who, with unbelievable patience, incubates the egg between his tummy and his feet for up to 60 days. The author clearly feels a mission to impart her extensive knowledge of birds and bird behavior to the very young, and she’s found an appealing and attractive way to accomplish this. The simple rhymes on the left page of each spread, written from the young bird’s perspective, will appeal to younger children, and the notes on the right-hand page of each spread provide more complex factual information that will help parents answer further questions and satisfy the curiosity of older children. Jenkins’ accomplished collage illustrations of common bird species—woodpecker, hummingbird, cowbird, emperor penguin, eagle, owl, wren—as well as exotics, such as flamingoes and hornbills, are characteristically naturalistic and accurate in detail.
A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers. (author’s note, further resources) (Informational picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 18, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4424-2116-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2014
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by Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Alexander Vidal
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by Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Diana Sudyka
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