A satisfying blend of storytelling and science that honors both sea turtles and the people working to save them.
A poacher turned protector teaches his grandchild about sea turtle preservation.
An Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Honor recipient, Gutiérrez Hernández draws from her own experiences visiting Oaxacan turtle sanctuaries to craft an intimate portrait of conservation work, seen through the eyes of young Gabriela, who joins Papá Grande on nighttime beach patrols as he watches over transported “nidadas” (sets of eggs laid by turtles). The author doesn’t shy away from the challenges; when beetles destroy a nest, leaving only broken shells, the moment provides authentic emotional weight that distinguishes this tale from more sanitized nature books. Papá Grande’s transformation from turtle hunter to “tortuguero” (turtle enthusiast) reflects the real stories of many Mexican coastal communities that shifted from exploitation to protection. The lovely gouache and colored pencil illustrations capture both the magical nocturnal world of nesting turtles and the methodical work of egg collection and hatchery maintenance. Rich blues and teals dominate the underwater scenes, while warm oranges and pinks highlight moments on the beach. The art particularly shines in depicting the four turtle species that visit Oaxaca’s coast. Extensive backmatter elevates this work beyond a simple story: A comprehensive glossary, detailed life cycle information, a map of conservation sites, an author’s note with photographs, and additional resources make it invaluable for reports or curious readers wanting deeper knowledge.
A satisfying blend of storytelling and science that honors both sea turtles and the people working to save them. (glossary, life cycle information, map, author’s note, additional resources) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9781250257789
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Godwin Books
Review Posted Online: July 4, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
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