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
Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren.
In talk-show host Fallon and illustrator Ordóñez’s latest picture-book collaboration, an elderly pooch waxes rhapsodic about a life well lived.
Observing Papa sitting in his chair watching TV all day, a young pup says, “I’m starting to think…you don’t do ANYTHING.” So Papa proceeds to list his accomplishments, both big and small, mundane and profound. Some are just a result of being older and physically bigger (being tall enough to reach a high shelf and strong enough to open jars); others include winning a race and performing in a band when he was younger. Eventually, the pup realizes that while Papa may have slowed down in his old age, he’s led a full life. The most satisfying thing about Papa’s life now? Watching his grandchild take center stage: “I can say lots of thoughts / but I choose to be quiet. / I’d rather you discover things and then try it.” Fallon’s straightforward text is sweetly upbeat, though it occasionally lacks flow, forcing incongruous situations together to fit the rhyme scheme (“I cook and I mow, / and I once flew a plane. // I play newspaper puzzles because it’s good for my brain”). Featuring uncluttered, colorful backgrounds, Ordóñez’s child-friendly digital art at times takes on sepia tones, evoking the sense of looking back at old photos or memories. Though the creators tread familiar ground, the love between Papa and his little one is palpable.
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781250393975
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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