Funny dialogue and an appealing character can’t quite mitigate weakness in plotting.
A pampered guinea pig named Crunch confronts his privilege.
Crunch’s cage is a well-appointed one, with a “comfy bed” and a framed picture of a tomato on the wall. He also has an (unseen) owner to provide lots of food: lettuce, seeds, celery, carrots, radishes, all devoured with endearing sound effects: “Nom nom! Brrrrrr!” Yes, he’s in the guinea-pig catbird seat. “But there was something missing from his life….” On cue, a skinny mouse named Cheddar approaches the cage and admires Crunch’s breakfast: “Breakfast?! Wow! Are you having lunch AND dinner too?” When Cheddar suggests that Crunch might share, Crunch clutches his lettuce leaf to his breast. Even when Cheddar offers a “big friendly hug” in exchange, Crunch just huddles over his bowl, grumbling: “hugfhbxjbvabhjs.” Second thoughts send Crunch into the world to find Cheddar; though he “discovers lots of new things,” Cheddar is not one of them—but when he goes back to his cage, there is Cheddar, happily halfway through a carrot and ready with a hug. Rabei gets a lot right in her debut: Crunch is an appealingly misanthropic character, and her illustrations, which look like prints, make the most of his personality. But her plot meanders, pacing’s uneven, and while Crunch and Cheddar’s friendship at the end is never in doubt, the path to it is unconvincing.
Funny dialogue and an appealing character can’t quite mitigate weakness in plotting. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: March 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-84643-733-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Child's Play
Review Posted Online: Dec. 21, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance.
A boy with wings learns to be himself and inspires others like him to soar, too.
Norman, a “perfectly normal” boy, never dreamed he might grow wings. Afraid of what his parents might say, he hides his new wings under a big, stuffy coat. Although the coat hides his wings from the world, Norman no longer finds joy in bathtime, playing at the park, swimming, or birthday parties. With the gentle encouragement of his parents, who see his sadness, Norman finds the courage to come out of hiding and soar. Percival (The Magic Looking Glass, 2017, etc.) depicts Norman with light skin and dark hair. Black-and-white illustrations show his father with dark skin and hair and his mother as white. The contrast of black-and-white illustrations with splashes of bright color complements the story’s theme. While Norman tries to be “normal,” the world and people around him look black and gray, but his coat stands out in yellow. Birds pop from the page in pink, green, and blue, emphasizing the joy and beauty of flying free. The final spread, full of bright color and multiracial children in flight, sets the mood for Norman’s realization on the last page that there is “no such thing as perfectly normal,” but he can be “perfectly Norman.”
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: May 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68119-785-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.
A dog-loving child encourages a less-than-enthusiastic younger one to imagine they’re both canines.
From the first declaration—“I’d be a big dog! And you’d be a little one!”—readers know who’s calling the shots. Initially, the protagonists cavort off the page and through the neighborhood together, performing doggy capers such as tail wagging, stick carrying, and dirt digging. But by the time they encounter a multitude of like-minded creatures at the dog park, the disgruntled small pup is exhibiting out-and-out rebellion: “Being a dog is YOUR idea! Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!” The narrative wraps up with the younger child pretending to be a different animal entirely—cleverly foreshadowed through subtle details in the illustrations. Even the endpapers—lively silhouettes of dogs in the beginning and many different animals in closing—extend the theme to suggest the imaginative possibilities of pretend play. Cheerful, lightly hued colors fit the whimsical mood, while expressive body language allows the art to tell the story with a minimum of words. Ending on a surprising note, with a sweet compromise between the two main characters, the tale gives both kids the freedom to embrace their own preferences and styles—while still enjoying their game.
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9780316581721
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
