Here’s hoping that there are more kerfuffles and shenanigans in the future for this undeniably delightful duo.
Quiet Petey and his devil spawn of a best friend indulge in a little chaos propelled by gleefully sesquipedalian writing.
Pru, a ginger-haired kid in a gray knit cap, carefully collects kitties on her way to her best friend Petey’s greenhouse. Inside, the serene chap is potting a little plant, happy in his tranquility. That bliss is upended when Pru, “feeling tricksy,” pierces the quiet with a caterwauling chorus of cats. Petey retaliates by inviting in a dog, but the inevitable anarchy is far more to Pru’s liking than Petey’s: “It’s a BROUHAHA!” They erupt into fisticuffs and find themselves falling to certain doom. Fortunately, they are saved at the last minute and make up with each other…until Pru feels another bout of mischief coming on. At every opportunity, Paquette works in a word or phrase that might be unfamiliar to her readership; these are helpfully set in bold type. Highlighted words include everything from “higgledy-piggledy” and “peeved” to “mayhem” and the fabulous “defenestration.” Rather than come off as jarring, these words blend seamlessly with the plot, aided in no small part by Ang’s pitch-perfect digital art. Even the endpapers do double duty as a glossary of the aforementioned terms.
Here’s hoping that there are more kerfuffles and shenanigans in the future for this undeniably delightful duo. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-544-03888-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 20, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A somewhat self-indulgent, adult-friendly reminiscence elevated by beautiful art.
In this tale based on one of Polacco’s childhood experiences, a kind librarian encourages a girl’s interests.
After the death of Trsha's grandmother, her grandfather sells the family farm. Trisha’s mother moves her and her brother from the country to a converted coach house rental in Battle Creek, Michigan, until the next school year, when they are set to move to California. At school, Trisha is a little bit of an odd duck with her impressive bird knowledge, and she struggles with reading—these tensions are only barely touched on, though. Librarian Mrs. Creavy nurtures Trisha’s interest in birds by introducing her to John James Audubon’s art. Trisha’s bird drawings impress her classmates enough that they pick a bird theme for their classroom’s open house. Mrs. Creavy also provides the class with tickets for a nearby bird sanctuary, so Trisha can further share her avian adoration—her peers join her in feathered fine art creations, prompting Mrs. Creavy to bring in “the Michigan state chairman of the Audubon bird clubs of America” for the founding of their school’s chapter, with Trisha the first member. The story is sweet but slightly more geared to adult sensibilities than children’s, and it is a touch narratively unbalanced—where it shines the most is in the juxtaposition between the child artists’ charming works and the author/illustrator’s bright, exquisite birds. Most characters, including Trisha and her family, present White. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A somewhat self-indulgent, adult-friendly reminiscence elevated by beautiful art. (author’s note) (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: March 7, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-5344-5131-5
Page Count: 56
Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Nov. 15, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2022
Well-intentioned but muddled in message.
It starts with a few feathers, but by summer’s end Julianna has full body plumage.
Her parents support her, love her, and tell her she’s beautiful and unique. They even contact other parents, telling them of Julianna’s “rare and beautiful condition” and asking them to discuss it with their children. But there are stares, endless questions, avoidance, and outright bullying. Even children who had been her friends isolate her. She feels better when she flies, but soon she realizes that she is still alone. When she speaks up and defends herself, she discovers some kindred spirits, and they form a special flock of friends. Daphne has lizard scales, Geo has a fox’s tail, and others have their own animallike attributes. The anti-bullying, self-acceptance message is somewhat obscured by the new flock’s own cliquelike separation and the text’s failure to follow up with the bullies. Julianna tells her own tale in simple, accessible language that will warm readers to her plight, but the plot is disjointed, with fantasy elements that feel contrived and out of sync. Suspension of disbelief is definitely required. Metallinou’s brightly hued illustrations lovingly convey Julianna’s emotions, with touches of humor and compassion. Julianna and her parents present White. Both bullies and members of the new flock are diverse. Friends are White, Black, Asian—and furry, scaled, tailed, rabbit-toothed, and more.
Well-intentioned but muddled in message. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-8075-2329-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Whitman
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
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