bookshelf

RACER DOGS

Name: RACER DOGS
Author: Bob Kolar
ISBN: 0-525-45939-1

by Bob Kolar & illustrated by Bob Kolar ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2003

bookshelf

Kolar (A Cat and a Dog, not reviewed, etc.) illustrates his busy scenes of canines cruising in cars in a cool palette of blues, grays, and citrus shades, with cartoon-style characters in a retro style and flat perspective similar to that of J.otto Seibold’s Mr. Lunch books. This rhyming story features a dog-eat-dog car race that takes place first on a race track and later on country roads and on a maze of highways. Readers follow a group of eight canine contestants through various mishaps as they fight for the prize (a large trophy cup), but the race ends in a huge pileup, and the actual winner is unclear. Sharp-eyed readers who know their traditional children’s literature will spot the green turtle and pink rabbit (the tortoise and the hare) who attempt to follow the racecourse on foot, and the tortoise actually wins the race. The story itself is told in sing-song rhyming verses that occasionally sputter or stall, with some uneven rhymes that could have benefited from further tune-up. Kolar works lots of visual humor into his illustrations in background details of race fans and city features, with many different animals observing the race. Checkerboard endpapers show each doggie driver identified by name, including two female drivers, with one named Bingo—the only dog smart enough to read her map. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: March 1, 2003

ISBN: 0-525-45939-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2003

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE STINKY FEET MONSTER
by Jamie Michalak ; illustrated by Bob Kolar

- BOOK REVIEW
FOOD TRUCK FIASCO
by Jamie Michalak ; illustrated by Bob Kolar

- BOOK REVIEW
HERE WE GO DIGGING FOR DINOSAUR BONES
by Susan Lendroth ; illustrated by Bob Kolar

bookshelf

IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

bookshelf

Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!

Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: March 31, 2026

ISBN: 9781454999621

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MONSTER AND PUPPET SHOW!
by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci ; illustrated by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PIGEON WON'T COUNT TO 10!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
WILL THE PIGEON GRADUATE?
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

bookshelf

HEDGEHOGS DON'T WEAR UNDERWEAR

by Marissa Valdez ; illustrated by Marissa Valdez ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2025

Sure to have little ones giggling.

bookshelf

Jacques is a hedgehog with a big secret: “I wear real, bona fide underwear.”

Our narrator received a mysterious package one day; an illustration shows a pair of underwear tied to a balloon with a note “from the Universe” floating down into Jacques’ burrow. Hedgehogs don’t wear underwear, however. Will Jacques be shunned? Jacques worries but comes to a decision: “I have to wear them. When I do I feel special.” Determined, Jacques, who’s been invited to a party, makes a dramatic entrance, with undies in hand. Jacques’ declaration (“I WEAR UNDERWEAR”) is met with remarks of dismay, before another hedgehog opens up about similar fears and shows off a pair of cowboy boots. More hedgehogs introduce themselves with their own confessions. The story ends with Jacques unveiling a painting of the underwear in a gallery filled with hedgehogs wearing all sorts of attire. Though the book is simple in plot, characters, and setting, it wins in its balance of bathroom humor, dramatic storytelling, and celebrations of individual expression. French words are peppered throughout, adding to the fun without detracting from the story for those unfamiliar with the language. The cartoonish illustrations brim with fun; Valdez relies heavily on geometric shapes (triangle noses for the hedgehogs; huge circles for their eyes). Details such as speech bubbles and recurring turtle and snake characters contribute to the outlandish humor.

Sure to have little ones giggling. (Picture book. 3-5)