by Carol Roth ; illustrated by Sean Julian ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 23, 2019
This Swiss-German import—originally written in English—delivers little other than a troubling crying-isn’t-OK message.
As in their previous outing, Five Little Ducklings Go to Bed (2013), all it takes is for one sibling to lose their cool about starting school, and the rest follow.
Although four of these little yellow ducklings are excited about donning their black-and-white–striped neckties and heading off to school, the fifth one’s tears and declaration that they’ll miss their mother are enough to get the waterworks flowing in all five. But mama duck pauses only a moment before kissing them all, telling them not to cry, reassuring them that it’s OK to miss someone and that they’ll remain in “each other’s hearts,” all the while continuing the morning routine and leading the ducklings to join other animal children at school. The five, who haven’t looked sad for several pages, “wiped their eyes, / Waddled off to school with their heads held high,” subtly sending the message that crying isn’t OK and must be suppressed. They all have a great day; indeed, there’s nary a tear from any of the new students, rather unrealistic for the first day of school. Roth’s verses are a bit rough; both the rhyme and rhythm frequently off. Julian’s ducklings are differentiated by their various hats but are otherwise interchangeable, and though the school scenes are delightful, the relationships among the ducks, which should be the foundation of the tale, aren’t demonstrably affectionate save for an ending family hug.
This Swiss-German import—originally written in English—delivers little other than a troubling crying-isn’t-OK message. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 23, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4346-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: May 11, 2019
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by Karma Wilson ; illustrated by Jane Chapman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 16, 2024
Cheery fun that will leave series fans “egg”-static.
In his latest outing, Bear and his pals go in search of eggs.
Bear “lumbers with his friends through the Strawberry Vale.” Raven finds a nest; climbing up, “The bear finds eggs!”: a refrain that appears throughout. Instead of eating the robin’s eggs, however, Bear leaves a gift of dried berries in the nest for the “soon-to-be-chicks.” Next, the friends find 10 mallard eggs (as bright blue as the robin’s), and Bear leaves sunflower seeds. Then the wail of Mama Meadowlark, whose bright yellow undercarriage strikes a warm golden note, leads them to promise to find her lost eggs. With his friends’ assistance, Bear finds one, and they decide to paint them “so they aren’t lost again.” Another is discovered, painted, and placed in Hare’s basket. After hours of persistent searching, Bear suddenly spots the remaining two eggs “in a small patch of clover.” Before they can return these eggs, the chicks hatch and rejoin their mother. Back at his lair, Bear, with his troupe, is visited by all 17 chicks and the robin, mallard, and meadowlark moms: “And the bear finds friends!” Though this sweet spring tale centers on finding and painting eggs, it makes no overt references to Easter. The soft green and blue acrylics, predictable rhymes, and rolling rhythm make this series installment another low-key natural read-aloud.
Cheery fun that will leave series fans “egg”-static. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 16, 2024
ISBN: 9781665936552
Page Count: 40
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
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by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2020
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
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