This odd couple doesn’t need any lessons on friendship, though perhaps they could use some pointers on safe skateboarding.
A Type-A personality learns to walk in someone else’s shoes (literally!) after an accident.
Les is the left leg to Ronnie’s right, and though they are both of a warm, light-brown hue, the two could not be more different. Les is precise and ordered, matches and plans which sock to wear, likes sensible shoes, and does not dance. Ronnie is laid-back and creative, wears whichever sock stinks the least, likes wild shoes that are impractical, and loves to party. Needless to say, life together is difficult for this pair of opposites. One day, out skateboarding, to Les’ displeasure, Ronnie suffers a sprained ankle and is out of commission for a bit. Les at first likes the routine that Ronnie’s forced to follow, the calm, the predictability. But then boredom sets in. How far will Les step out of the comfort zone to cheer Ronnie up and bring some life back into their routine? Quite a bit, and Les actually has fun doing it! Kolb’s pencil-and-digital illustrations play up the dichotomy between the two legs, their faces’ eyebrows and mouths (drawn just above the ankles) making them as emotive as any emoji. The sequence in which Les lets loose is especially enjoyable and illustrates just how awkward and uncomfortable it can be at first, though by the end Les and Ronnie are both all smiles.
This odd couple doesn’t need any lessons on friendship, though perhaps they could use some pointers on safe skateboarding. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-399-54619-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones.
Not even the arrival of autumn can cool down this impetuous squirrel.
Although Squirrel is skeptical about Bird’s vegetable patch (“Nothing is HAPPENING!”), Bird does produce five (count them) lovely pumpkins. Squirrel picks out a favorite: “The enormous orange one.” Bird hints that Squirrel might want to help out; Squirrel sets out to fetch some work gloves and returns to find only four pumpkins. The frequently distracted Squirrel notices more gourds disappearing and leaps to the conclusion that a thief is near. And where’s Bird?! Has Squirrel’s pal also been taken? Diligently detecting, Squirrel finds clues—peck marks, footprints, and more—and produces a sketch of the suspect. As readers will guess, each clue turns out to point to one of Squirrel and Bird’s friends. Turns out Bird was delivering pumpkins to their pals while saving the big one to give to “my very best friend,” Squirrel. But why does Squirrel haul it up a tree? “So the Pumpkin Thief can’t find it, of course!” A page of pumpkin facts provides the learning component common to all titles in this series. Once more, readers will enjoy the pleasure of prediction and repetition, Squirrel’s silly persistence, Bird’s generosity, and the vibrant color illustrations, balancing orange with green.
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 28, 2026
ISBN: 9781464268076
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2026
Empowerment to children to be the change they wish to see in the world.
Be a “somebody” who makes a difference!
A Black child witnesses various transgressions over the course of a day. Noticing trash on the walk to the bus stop, the young narrator thinks, “Somebody should do something about that.” Two students push their way ahead of everyone else in order to get good seats on the school bus, prompting the child to muse, “Somebody should speak up about that.” Throughout the day, the child notices examples of bullying and unfairness. These seemingly minor infractions start mounting. Finally, when the protagonist’s teacher tells the students that it’s snack time, the narrator notices that some students don’t have anything to eat. Instead of wishing for a “somebody,” the perceptive pupil realizes, “I am Somebody” and shares food with the others. The epiphany doesn’t stop there. When the narrator arrives home and notices there are toys everywhere but Mom is on a work call, the child responds to Mom’s request for help by cleaning up the mess. Accompanied by simple yet expressive illustrations, this is a loving and much-needed story that encourages kids to make a difference; pair it with Joshunda Sanders’ I Can Write the World (2019), illustrated by Charly Palmer. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Empowerment to children to be the change they wish to see in the world. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: June 27, 2023
ISBN: 9780762480517
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2023
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
