Lovely to look at, a pleasure to read aloud, and offering plenty of details to pore over, Trio’s story seems destined to...
Despite having only three legs, Trio the cat lives a full, happy life.
Trio is born “different.” But different is definitely not less-than, as the narration points out. Trio may struggle at times, but in general, he can do what other kittens do: “pounce…sneak…[and] jump, whoops, well sort of!” Trio and his siblings share their home with a flock of chickens. Trio, in particular, enjoys emulating the chickens’ behavior, though he discovers that he does not like eating bugs. After figuring out how to climb up into the nesting boxes, Trio regularly makes himself at home. Then one day his cozy snoozing is interrupted by an unexpected event. Wisnewski’s astonishingly beautiful illustrations combine paper cutting, printing, and watercolor to bring Trio’s story to life. Her technique works particularly well for texture and shading, as seen on the flowers, fabrics, feathers, and fur. Trio, the other kittens, and Uno the chick are all utterly adorable, and the beady-eyed hens are equally appealing. The matter-of-fact tone of the text keeps the story from sounding sentimental, while gently humorous asides add to its charm. Simple declarative sentences have a pleasing rhythm and conversational tone, allowing the story to flow naturally.
Lovely to look at, a pleasure to read aloud, and offering plenty of details to pore over, Trio’s story seems destined to become a favorite for many families. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 19, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-56792-608-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Godine
Review Posted Online: Aug. 6, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Informative fun; engaging photography.
The changes from winter into spring—especially in the northeastern U.S.—are illustrated with numerous colored photographs.
After a title page sporting brilliant purple petals against wide green leaves, the first double-page spread shows the pale face of a child, wistfully looking out from a frost-framed, droplet-splattered window. The large-print text says: “Winter. / Waiting… / for nature / to wake up.” The pages that follow show the annual awakening of flora, fauna, and land in a temperate climate—probably the author’s native Massachusetts, hinted at by a wide maple tree adorned with sap-collection buckets. Excellent layout ensures that simple sentences are surrounded by striking photographs to support the basic science of seasonal change. Among the vibrant plants and baby animals are children whose appearances are diverse in skin, hair, and eye color but alike in their exuberance at being outdoors in the spring. The children are generally gardening or tending to animals in sunshine, with care taken to include one youngster reveling in spring rain. Plants and critters, both domestic and wild, are as vividly portrayed as the children. The text uses a well-chosen array of verbs, alliteration, and basic scientific vocabulary. The final double-page spread, showing three brown-skinned children romping after a kite against a bright blue-and-green landscape, is a perfect accompaniment to the gentle reminder that spring leads into summer.
Informative fun; engaging photography. (glossary) (Informational picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3752-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 20, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2017
A cozy friendship story is always welcome; the animals and balloons here add to the fun.
Penelope Elephant adores her 10 red balloons, which go everywhere she goes.
Penelope’s very protective of her treasured balloons: She sits far away from best pal Piper the porcupine on the school bus, and at recess, she avoids a sharp-toothed crocodilian friend. One day after school, Penelope rushes home when a sudden storm develops. Though she tries to hold tight to her treasures in the face of heavy winds, eventually she lets go. She sits alone in the forest, brokenhearted. Supportive Piper appears with an umbrella and walks Penelope to her front door. Penelope soon discovers that one balloon has drifted home. Grabbing it, she races to her room and wraps it elaborately in a box to preserve it. As she tries mightily to protect it from her parents, who want to help, it breaks. Still, there’s good news in the air—literally: Outside the window, everyone glimpses nine red balloons floating in the air. Flinging the front door open, Penelope discovers her balloons have received help returning home: Each one’s clutched firmly by a good friend. Penelope now realizes what the “greatest treasures” truly are. This sweet friendship story makes clear that people are more important than even the most cherished of objects. The lively, colorful illustrations—those red balloons really pop—keep things moving. Penelope’s an endearing, realistically developed character among the anthropomorphized all-animal cast; children will relate to her plight.
A cozy friendship story is always welcome; the animals and balloons here add to the fun. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 16, 2024
ISBN: 9781454951827
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
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