Don’t worry, readers, camping season will soon be here...and maybe you can stay longer than one night.
A camping trip gives rise to many new worries for Little Hoo, but the little owl’s parents soothe them all.
The owl family is going camping for vacation. Though Little Hoo’s parents are reassuring, the owlet (who clutches a stuffed owl under a wing) meets each new experience with trepidation (some rightfully so: carsickness). While it may be grating to adults reading aloud, the repetitive nature of the text (“What’s wrong?...Don’t worry…”) aids little listeners who are learning story patterns, giving them opportunities to chime in and guess what’s coming next. “What’s wrong, Little Hoo? Are you feeling hungry? / Don’t worry, Little Hoo. It’s time to make a fire and roast some dinner.” Little Hoo’s hooded eyes in this illustration may have readers guessing that his next worry is the dinner menu; a page turn proves them right (though readers may have a hard time distinguishing the hot dog Little Hoo eyes suspiciously, as it is similar in color to the owlet’s torso). Ponnay hits all the camping staples: setting up the tent, fear of the dark (inexplicably, these owls sleep at night and need flashlights), toasted marshmallows (that get Little Hoo sticky), and scary noises. But when it’s finally time to leave the next morning (quick trip!), Little Hoo is reluctant, finally enjoying camping. Simple illustrations keep the focus on Little Hoo’s new experiences, though young children may be confused when characters repeat on spreads, separated by only the gutter.
Don’t worry, readers, camping season will soon be here...and maybe you can stay longer than one night. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 30, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5324-1554-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Xist
Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2020
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
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.
Another creature is on the loose.
The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728274300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
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