The Mizielinskis have crafted a civilization that is clever and compassionate, hardworking and fun-loving; it is a pleasure...
In this companion to Welcome to Mamoko (2013), the wordless, hunt-and-find scenes depict the next millennium. Only the settings are futuristic, however; the daily dramas are universal.
The opening spread names 32 animals and extraterrestrials, inviting readers to follow a unique thread for each one and to invent a narrative: “You tell the story!” Viewers first witness the characters in tall apartment pods, crisscrossed by ramps. Inside the circular windows and on the streets, these characters establish their identities: rock star, delivery driver, surfer dude, robot-builder and baby in a bubble. The creatures visit natural settings with exotic flora; interact near an enormous, pink transformer, while technicians fiddle with its innards; and revel in a concert and rocket race. Flying surfboards, machines shaped like UFOs and teleportation are among the modes of transport. Situations develop in busy, but not overwhelming, rainbow-hued compositions rendered in mixed media: An ET gets lost, the baby bear’s bubble bursts, a pig falls in love. Fans of the first title will recognize animal types and family names; they may speculate on relationships. An “old world” part of the city, with its adorned buildings and familiar military statue, will send close lookers back to the original to compare the effects of time.
The Mizielinskis have crafted a civilization that is clever and compassionate, hardworking and fun-loving; it is a pleasure to inhabit and visit. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: March 11, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7125-9
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Big Picture/Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2013
This odd story is not for every reader, but those who enjoy it may find a friend for life
A determined mother embarks on a surreal adventure.
Kraegel’s format-defying tale is an unexpected story of love, determination, and parenting. Mother Shrew’s son, Hugo, is taken ill on the last day of January with a rare illness that makes him lethargic, with hot feet and a cold head. From “Dr. Ponteluma’s Book of Medical Inquiry and Physiological Know-How,” Mother Shrew learns that the only cure for this odd, unnamed illness is a spoonful of honey from the moon. Ferociously determined to cure Hugo, she sets out to save her son. In each new chapter, Mother Shrew faces a new obstacle or not-too-scary adversary as she braves the moon’s unusual environment—its verdant fields and lush forests make a stark contrast to the wintry landscape Mother Shrew has left behind—and its madcap inhabitants. Divided into seven heavily illustrated chapters, the story is one that will captivate contemplative and creative young readers. Caregivers may find this to be their next weeklong bedtime story and one that fanciful children will want to hear again and again. Kraegel’s ink-and-watercolor illustrations are reminiscent of Sergio Ruzzier’s but a bit grittier and with a darker color scheme. The surreal landscapes are appropriately unsettling, but a bright color palette keeps them from overwhelming readers.
This odd story is not for every reader, but those who enjoy it may find a friend for life . (Fantasy. 5-8)Pub Date: Nov. 5, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-7636-8169-2
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2019
Zip to get this Zapped Jack book.
A rad addition to Barnett and Pizzoli’s early readers about Jack the rabbit, the Lady, and Rex the dog.
One rainy day, the Lady (who presents White) and Rex settle in for a nice day of reading. Jack doesn’t join them in this cozy activity, as he’s too busy enjoying his video game, “Rad Kid.” Then in a fantastic twist, lightning strikes, and, as the title foreshadows, Jack gets zapped into the game. An unlikely hero emerges as the Lady picks up the game controls and plays the game to save Zapped Jack, who, after some in-game fun, is defeated by the Boss. Pizzoli cleverly alters his illustrations for the scenes of the game within the book to make them appear pixelated, and Barnett’s funny, controlled text makes the story accessible to emergent readers. The text describing the Lady’s acquisition of gaming skills is particularly chuckleworthy: “You got this! Now go! Hop over that pit! Press A and RIGHT! / Oh. You fell in. // That’s OK! You get three lives. So you have two lives left! Just stomp on this bad guy and— / You died again.” Gaming isn’t vilified in this story, nor is reading elevated as the better activity, which makes it all the more likely that readers who prefer gaming over reading will actually enjoy this title. The backmatter gives directions for drawing Zapped Jack, and readers may well wish there were an accompanying game, too. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-13-inch double-page spreads viewed at 22.2% of actual size.)
Zip to get this Zapped Jack book. (Early reader. 5-8)Pub Date: Feb. 2, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-11401-8
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Nov. 26, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2020
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