This cute tale proves it’s not hard to see things in a new light.
Bugs bug some people.
Ruby loves animals, particularly furry and ocean-dwelling ones. But bugs? No thanks. Ruby awakens to find a large bug outside the window. Ignoring Mommy’s suggestion to study it like a scientist, Ruby instead attempts to shoo the bug away by screaming at it, but it stays put. Worse, the screaming lands Ruby in timeout. This works out well, however, because, left alone with the visitor, animal aficionado and nascent scientist Ruby reassesses the situation and discovers an appreciation of—and even admiration of—“Mr. Yuck-Bug,” who the child thinks might be a beetle. Ruby discusses bioluminescent fish with the bug, draws pictures of him, and even feels contrite about yelling at him earlier. When night falls and the insect flies off, Ruby makes an exhilarating discovery about what’s lighting up the sky! This sweet story about changing one’s mind and seeing things from a new perspective will charm young readers, many of whom may be bug fans. Dark-haired, tan-skinned, gap-toothed Ruby, who narrates in chatty first person, is a realistic character who unabashedly owns up to a bug aversion and uses agency to overcome it. Mommy is light-skinned, while Daddy is brown-skinned. The energetic illustrations, created with a combination of mixed-media and digital techniques, are often set in panels and insets; some type is set in larger colored capitals for dramatic emphasis. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
This cute tale proves it’s not hard to see things in a new light. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: June 21, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-17417-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2022
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
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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
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BOOK REVIEW
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