by Bruce Hale ; illustrated by Guy Francis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 14, 2021
A fun thought-provoker for the scientifically inclined.
Scientific and mathematical considerations go into Santa’s round-the-world-in-one-night deliveries.
How many presents have been made at the workshop? How many miles will the sleigh travel in one night? How heavy are the stacks and stacks of toys? What kind of equipment is needed for all that weight traveling at such a high speed to stop on a roof? And what kind of heat- and pressure-proof suit must Santa wear underneath his red one to withstand the journey? All of this and more has been taken care of. Even when the conveyor belt jams and Santa leaves a half-hour late, he has the smarts to make up for lost time by flying east to west across the international date line. He completes his successful mission, devouring his 400 million cookies along the way. Readers are encouraged to remember the supportive Mrs. Claus and the tech-savvy elves when they’re opening their presents. Bright, busy illustrations dash from scene to scene with a frantic energy. A broad-chested White Santa Claus and a cheerful White Mrs. Claus oversee a team of elves with diverse skin tones and hair textures. This book will likely be a hit with precocious youngsters who are already skeptical of the Santa Claus tale. Others may prefer not to let the realities of science question their magic just yet. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A fun thought-provoker for the scientifically inclined. (Picture book. 5-9)Pub Date: Sept. 14, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-06-298363-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2021
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by Jonathan London ; illustrated by Andrew Joyner ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 21, 2018
Empty calories
Hippo dreams of “a good, old-fashioned Thanksgiving.”
It’s not all smooth sailing. Hippo is raking and dreaming of Thanksgiving goodies when Duck plunges into Hippo’s leaf pile and musses it up. When a falling apple bonks Hippo on the head and he then gives it to Duck, Duck thanks him, triggering an invitation to celebrate the day together. The two friends go off to shop and find themselves in mishap after mild mishap, meeting friends and inviting them one by one to Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Duck engages in mild tomfoolery, but Hippo maintains his genial calm. That evening, Duck goes back to their friends and suggests that they plan a surprise for Hippo. The next day, Hippo prepares a delicious assortment of traditional (all vegetarian) dishes and then waits for his friends—who show up late with their surprise: more food (eggrolls, sushi, pizza, and peanut-butter–and-jelly tacos), which temporarily puts Hippo out because it “is NOT a good, old-fashioned Thanksgiving feast!” Hippo rapidly gets over himself, and the friends all have a good time. While the message of enjoying fellowship and valuing each individual’s contributions is a worthy one, this meandering tale offers little to chew on in terms of character development or plot. Joyner’s anthropomorphic cartoon animals are cheery, but his illustrations do nothing to give London’s story any depth.
Empty calories . (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Aug. 21, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5039-0080-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: July 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2018
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by Jonathan London illustrated by Andrew Joyner
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by Wang Yage ; illustrated by Zhu Chengliang ; translated by Helen Wang ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 7, 2021
A charming illustration of childhood memories during the holiday season.
A colorful wintry tale ushers in Chinese New Year over two weeks.
In this picture book, the narrator recounts with nostalgia an observance of the traditional New Year in rural northern China. The snow-covered village bustles with activity as folks venture out to greet relatives and friends. “On the third day, uncles started giving LANTERNS” refers to an old custom in provincial Shaanxi—especially among maternal uncles. Palpable and immediate are Zhao Di’s eager anticipation and the care with which she “walk[s] through the snow with her lantern in case she slipped or the candle blew out in the wind.” Simple yet vivid close-ups depict Zhao Di and her friends, bundled head to toe and comparing lantern designs—accordion, watermelon, etc.—while braving the cold and a bunch of rowdy boys. All too soon, the 15th day arrives, signaling the end of the New Year celebrations. In a pivotal spread that shows Zhao Di sitting with her dog and chickens, readers are granted an interior view of the architecture and layout of a rustic farmhouse. In addition, the villagers’ various clothing styles, headdresses, and skin tones suggest the region’s diverse ethnicities and socio-economic landscapes. As the story concludes with the obligatory smashing and burning of the lanterns, Zhao Di comforts herself with the hopeful thought of lighting new lanterns next year.
A charming illustration of childhood memories during the holiday season. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Dec. 7, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5420-2984-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2021
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