Bella is a little girl with a big voice, and she’s especially loud when excited—and she’s positively thrilled about today’s field trip to the art museum. Despite repeated reminders from her teacher to “use [her] inside voice,” she shouts out answers to the museum guide’s questions. Nettled, the guide tells Bella that if she doesn’t stop, the class won’t be able to continue. Bella feels terrible. When it’s time to leave, she runs and gets on the bus, but it’s the wrong one! Now is the time to speak up—loudly! Outside, Bella’s teacher races to meet her and brings her back to her cheering class, and Bella takes a picture to memorialize the best trip she’s ever been on. While not specifically about ADHD, this could serve as a very useful introduction to the topic. Mai-Wyss’s appealing illustrations depict Bella as an ebullient blond miss who even dresses loudly. Children will doubtlessly identify with Bella’s impulsive enthusiasm and mercurial moods—or know someone who behaves in just such a way. (Picture book. 3-7)
Pub Date: June 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-399-24277-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2008
BOOK REVIEW
Mr. Fish’s fans can chase away any holiday “dreary-wearies” with this latest entry in the series, though it’s more likely to...
The perennially popular pout-pout fish is back with a new problem: how to find perfect gifts for all his friends.
Mr. Fish wears a “yuletide pout” in this holiday season because of his extensive shopping expectations. He wants his gifts to have “bling-zing,” to be big, bright, and perfect, “guaranteed to bring delight.” He shops till he plops but leaves the mall empty-handed “in a bout of pout-doubt.” His wise friend Miss Shimmer saves the day, with lots of craft supplies and advice about how to make his own presents “with his very own fins!” Mr. Fish finds that his simple, handmade gifts do meet his high expectations and that the camaraderie and goodwill shared with friends are the really meaningful gifts of the season. In addition to the wordplay, the text offers a calming, sensible approach to holiday gift giving with reinforcement of the value of handmade gifts. Hanna’s detailed illustrations of Mr. Fish’s watery world are filled with funny details, as when the sea creatures all hold one another’s tentacles as they celebrate the holiday. A holiday highlight is the arrival of Manta Claus, pulled in his sleigh by sea horses, of course.
Mr. Fish’s fans can chase away any holiday “dreary-wearies” with this latest entry in the series, though it’s more likely to be adults who face the holiday shopping quandary than children. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-374-35549-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Turns “us against them” on its head to celebrate the transformative joy found in diverse communities.
With a perfect (bunny) ear for what kids want, Willems employs his signature style as he encourages readers to forge connections.
Each spread is made up of two pages with different yet equally bright, solidly colored backdrops—a clever way to hint at divisions in our society. The opening pages show a bunny on the left-facing page and the words “i am ME” on the right. The next spread shows a second bunny, this time on the right-facing page, with the text “you are YOU” on the left. The page turn reveals the two creatures together on the left-facing page, accompanied by the text “we are US.” Each spread thereafter introduces new bunnies on the right-facing page who join the existing characters, affirming a unifying message: “whoa! More US!” While the bunnies do express apprehension about the newcomers, some of whom have obvious differences (such as the use of mobility aids or varied fur colors or styles of dress), everyone is welcome. Though this title explores a complex topic—the importance of cultivating bonds even with those who appear different—it’s amazingly attuned to its audience. The text is minimal, but the consistently uncluttered art design makes the message clear. Hinting at P.D. Eastman’s classic Go, Dog. Go! or the busy pages of Richard Scarry's, this tale blends whimsy and delight with a thoughtful but never preachy takeaway.
Turns “us against them” on its head to celebrate the transformative joy found in diverse communities. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2025
ISBN: 9781454951490
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Dec. 28, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2025
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