Clever, immersive fun.
The tale of a wild imagination put to good use.
Sam, a Black boy whose Momma says he has “ants in his pants,” can’t be still. It’s time for his afternoon nap, but Sam is uninterested. Although he yells “NOOO!” he goes to his room, shuts the door…and opens his favorite book, African Wildlife, which features a lion on the cover. Immediately, a herd of gazelles jumps out and bounds around his room, followed by a pride of lions, a zeal of zebras, and several other groups of animals. Each zoological collection makes a sound that provides great fodder for interactive read-alouds. Observant readers will notice that Sam’s drawings on the wall of his room and his stuffed animals resemble those that have emerged from the book. Like Maurice Sendak’s Max, Sam isn’t intimidated by wild things—he even dances with the leap of leopards. He also attempts to retrieve his shoes from the crash of rhinos, which find his soles quite tasty. The loudest growl of all—from Sam’s tummy—gets everyone’s attention and leads to a satisfying ending. Throughout this lively picture book, readers will learn many collective nouns for animals and even a few facts. Kordesh’s whimsical illustrations, rendered in watercolor and ink, make the animals that could be frightening humorous and entertaining. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Clever, immersive fun. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: June 20, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-56460-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Anne Schwartz/Random
Review Posted Online: April 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2023
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it.
What happens when a robot washes up alone on an island?
“Everything was just right on the island.” Brown beautifully re-creates the first days of Roz, the protagonist of his Wild Robot novels, as she adapts to living in the natural world. A storm-tossed ship, seen in the opening just before the title page, and a packing crate are the only other human-made objects to appear in this close-up look at the robot and her new home. Roz emerges from the crate, and her first thought as she sets off up a grassy hill—”This must be where I belong”—is sweetly glorious, a note of recognition rather than conquest. Roz learns to move, hide, and communicate like the creatures she meets. When she discovers an orphaned egg—and the gosling Brightbill, who eventually hatches—her decision to be his mother seems a natural extension of her adaptation. Once he flies south for the winter, her quiet wait across seasons for his return is a poignant portrayal of separation and change. Brown’s clean, precise lines and deep, light-filled colors offer a sense of what Roz might be seeing, suggesting a place that is alive yet deeply serene and radiant. Though the book stands alone, it adds an immensely appealing dimension to Roz’s world. Round thumbnails offer charming peeks into the island world, depicting Roz’s animal neighbors and Brightbill’s maturation.
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 24, 2025
ISBN: 9780316669467
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
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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