A delightful lesson in the joy of living in the moment.
In this sequel to Max and Marla Are Flying Together (2019), best friends Max and Marla embark on a special summer adventure.
Max, an upbeat white boy, and his owl pal, Marla, plan a trip to Australia to “see all the animals along the way.” After ensuring his camera works perfectly to “capture every moment,” Max packs for their trip. Maneuvering their small plane, Max fails to see pelicans flying next to them because he’s fooling with his camera. (Hands-free laws seem not to apply.) At the boat dock, Max searches the sky with his camera, missing seals behind him. Rowing their boat, Max scans the distant ocean through his camera, missing dolphins leaping right around him. Max is clearly too engrossed in his camera to see the wonders all around, prompting wily Marla to surreptitiously take action. As a result, the two friends experience Australia “with their eyes wide open,” meet new friends, and see “wonders everywhere.” Gently humorous illustrations rendered in black outlines and soft colors chronicle Max and Marla methodically preparing for their trip, soaring high in their small plane wearing goggles and aviator helmets, stalwartly rowing their solitary boat with marine life teeming beneath, and joyously interacting with koala bears and kangaroos from the contrasting perspectives of intimate cameos and dramatic full- and double-page vistas.
A delightful lesson in the joy of living in the moment. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: June 16, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-525-51570-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: March 14, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2020
The spirit of Valentine’s Day shines bright in this caring community.
Gobble, gobble! Grab this farmyard story full of Valentine’s Day puns.
The animals on Farmer Jake’s farm are exchanging valentines. Delighted by a card from a secret admirer (“You are like no otter!”), Turkey decides to make clever valentines and surreptitiously deliver them to the other animals. Luckily, he has some punny inspiration for perfect Valentine’s Day messages. “You’re purr-fect.” “You’re dog-gone delightful.” “You’re toad-ally awesome!” As Turkey dons a different disguise for each delivery, the story offers a refrain that young listeners will soon chant. “His costume wasn’t bad. In fact, Turkey looked just like a cat…almost.” (The refrain changes slightly with each disguise.) Unfortunately, the other animals always recognize Turkey and greet him with a pun. But the animals also compliment his valentine and help to create a pun for his next one. Sadly, the animals always know who the valentines are from, so Turkey decides to “gobble, gobble, give up!” Returning home to read his own valentines, Turkey has an idea, and he quickly creates a festive and delicious surprise for the Valentine’s dance. Readers will have to decide if Turkey has finally managed to surprise the other animals. Boldfaced puns within the story are easy to spot, and Turkey’s cards also feature puns along with adorable illustrations. Detailed watercolor and pencil illustrations bring to life a farm filled with loving friends and highlight Turkey’s clever and ever changing costumes. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
The spirit of Valentine’s Day shines bright in this caring community. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Dec. 13, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5420-2366-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
As the sleepy keeper bids him good night, Gorilla snitches his keys; then he creeps after him, letting the other animals out. In a lengthening parade that includes a mouse first seen taking one of Gorilla's bananas, they pad along behind the keeper like faithful dogs, enter his house, and curl up to snooze in his bedroom; Gorilla snuggles into bed next to the keeper's wife. The man is too drowsy to notice, but she does; taking Gorilla by the hand, she leads the whole parade back to the zoo with an air of resignation that suggests this has happened before. Gorilla certainly knows the ropes; he and the mouse (still toting the banana) follow her back, this time to settle in the middle of the bed. The amiable cartoon characters, vibrant palette, and affectionate tone of the author's art recall Thacher Hurd's cheerful illustrations. Delightful. (Picture book. 3-7)
Pub Date: April 13, 1994
ISBN: 0-399-22445-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1994
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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