by Caroline Watkins ; illustrated by Mark Tuchman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 5, 2019
A head-scratcher and series opener best left to the bats and other things that go bump in the night.
When vampire bats go for the longest necks around, Giracula is the result.
When the poor giraffe awakens, he has fangs and a cloak, though the latter comes off in a collision with a drone (and is back in place again a page turn later). He lands right in front of a bakery, and a good thing this is, as this vampiric giraffe craves sweets instead of blood, for no articulated reason. “Never before had our / friend felt like this. / He’d go bonkers, BANANAS / without a treat fix!” Indeed, by the time the treats are gone, the shop is a mess, and his tummy is aching with all the sugar he’s consumed. The townspeople catch him on his second sweets raid, his mouth dripping cherry-pie filling, and they assume the worst, all save a dark-haired girl with brown skin who offers a deal: She’ll make him treats if he’ll stop stealing. But this is never depicted. Instead, Giracula is pictured in a full tuxedo against a castle backdrop, a light-skinned child offering him a chocolate bar while the text reads that the town’s had no more trouble since the monster left. Watkins’ rhymes can be quite rough (“clouds” and “sounds,” “manners” and “answers”), and the scansion occasionally falters. Tuchman’s cartoon illustrations are amusing enough, but they are not enough to draw readers back again.
A head-scratcher and series opener best left to the bats and other things that go bump in the night. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-943978-45-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Persnickety Press
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2019
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More In The Series
by Caroline Watkins ; illustrated by Mark Tuchman
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by Caroline Watkins ; illustrated by Mark Tuchman
by Drew Daywalt ; illustrated by Oliver Jeffers ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 2, 2024
A predictable series entry, mitigated as usual by the protagonists’ perennially energetic positivity.
A holiday-centered spinoff from the duo behind the inspired The Day the Crayons Quit (2013).
With Green Crayon on vacation, how can the waxy ones pull off a colorful St. Patrick’s Day celebration with Duncan, their (unseen) owner? Through their signature combo of cooperation and unwavering enthusiasm, of course. Blue and Yellow collaborate on a field of shamrocks that blends—however spottily—into green. Nearly invisible White Crayon supplies an otherwise unclothed light-skinned leprechaun with undies, and Orange draws a pair of pants that match the wee creature’s iconic beard and hair. Pink applies colors to a vest, and Purple, a natty jacket and boots. Chunky Toddler Crayon contributes a “perfect” scribbly blue hat; Beige and Brown team up for the leprechaun’s harp. In arguably the best bit, Black exuberantly manifests a decidedly unvariegated rainbow, while Gold’s pot of coins is right on the money, hue-wise. Their ardor undimmed by the holiday’s missing customary color, everyone assembles to party. Though the repartee among the crayons isn’t as developed as in previous outings, the book hews close to Daywalt and Jeffers’ winning formula, and there’s still enough here to keep readers chuckling. And, in a droll “wait for it” moment nicely calibrated for storytime, Green returns from vacation, sunglasses and suitcase in hand: “Did I miss anything while I was gone?” (The cover illustrations do hint at some Green-inflected remediation.)
A predictable series entry, mitigated as usual by the protagonists’ perennially energetic positivity. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2024
ISBN: 9780593624333
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Oct. 21, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2023
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by Drew Daywalt ; illustrated by Alex Willmore
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by Drew Daywalt ; illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
BOOK REVIEW
by Drew Daywalt ; illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
by Todd Tarpley ; illustrated by Stephanie Laberis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 14, 2023
Slapstick fun for any season.
Sometimes the holidays get messy.
When a light-skinned leprechaun—complete with red beard and clover-adorned hat—appears at the end of a rainbow on a hill dotted with tulips, he’s all set to bury his gold…until the Easter Bunny hops over in a huff. The leprechaun is digging up all the tulips where the bunny was planning to hide his eggs. Their argument escalates, and readers will be reminded of Looney Tunes battles between Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck as each employs more and more outrageous traps and tricks to humiliate the other. The duo keep the fight up until a new visitor arrives; although St. Valentine’s Day has passed, a plump, light-skinned Cupid is ready to start planning for next year—allowing the two to join forces against a common enemy. The text is told in rhyming stanzas: “ ‘Gold!’ cried the bunny, / but when he bent over, / the leprechaun pushed him / facedown in the clover!” It’s not Shakespeare, but it moves the plot along. The digital illustrations are riotously funny, and the final image of the three spring holiday mascots scowling at one another, having reached an uneasy friendship, will have readers giggling all year long. Skilled storytellers will enjoy hamming up the action as the characters attempt to assert their dominance over their hillside home. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Slapstick fun for any season. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Feb. 14, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-316-37426-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Nov. 28, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2022
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More by Todd Tarpley
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by Todd Tarpley ; illustrated by Sophie Leu
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by Todd Tarpley ; illustrated by Jared Chapman
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by Todd Tarpley ; illustrated by Vin Vogel
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