Proceeds go to the North Shore Animal League America, which is probably the best thing that can be said about this...
A Persian cat adopted from a shelter becomes “foster papa” to four rowdy kittens in celebrity author Stern’s sentimental tale.
As a kitten, Yoda dreams big dreams. But when his owner tires of him, he is taken to an animal shelter, where his condition degrades and he develops an inferiority complex watching other cats leave with new owners. Then “a nice lady named Beth” adopts him despite his perceived shortcomings and brings him home to what Crane depicts as kitty heaven: There are cat condos, scratching posts and toy mice galore. Nevertheless, the vet diagnoses him with “a sad heart.” Suddenly, four foster kittens appear in the household, and now Yoda’s life has meaning, protecting and teaching the furry scamps. At last, “Yoda has a happy heart.” An author’s note explains that the real-life Yoda has a heart condition, but the patronizing language obfuscates this hard truth. Stern’s narrative suffers from abrupt transitions and a confusing timeline: Where does Yoda grow from kitten to cat? At his original home? The shelter? Beth’s? The plot is likewise flimsy, relying on emotional manipulation and arbitrary action for its effect. Judging from the photo of Yoda on the back cover, Crane paints him accurately, but jowly verisimilitude leaves little room for personality; the kittens have far more mobile expressions than Yoda does.
Proceeds go to the North Shore Animal League America, which is probably the best thing that can be said about this well-meaning but unsuccessful story . (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Nov. 18, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4814-4407-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: Dec. 5, 2014
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
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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