An ode to late-life nostalgia that will nonetheless be visually enchanting to all ages.
A magical toymaker creates wondrous toys not for children but for grandparents and older people.
Min’s fantastical imagination is once again on full Technicolor display in this fairy tale–like story about a toymaker who lives “in a faraway land, on top of a rainbow mountain.” The twist? The Little Toymaker is a small boy, wearing a red and yellow robe adorned with tiny stars. Older people bring him toys from their childhood, and he rebuilds them into “something new—something magical.” One day, a particularly tough case arrives at his door. A woman has brought a small tin that she played with as a girl. She and the Little Toymaker chat as he tries in vain to revamp her tin, turning it into a flying bird, a train, a music box, and more. But none are just right—until she reveals a story from her past of a special man in her life. Over several lush double-page spreads incorporating fiery explosions of color, sound effects, and romantic memories, the Little Toymaker weaves together elements from the woman’s stories; finally, the toy hits its mark. Though the message might, like the toys themselves, be best suited toward adult readers, the vibrant illustrations, rendered in watercolor and colored pencil, will entice young and old alike. The Little Toymaker presents as Asian, with pale skin and dark hair; the woman he helps is light-skinned and white-haired; and the children and adults depicted near the Little Toymaker’s home are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An ode to late-life nostalgia that will nonetheless be visually enchanting to all ages. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-64614-180-7
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Levine Querido
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones.
Not even the arrival of autumn can cool down this impetuous squirrel.
Although Squirrel is skeptical about Bird’s vegetable patch (“Nothing is HAPPENING!”), Bird does produce five (count them) lovely pumpkins. Squirrel picks out a favorite: “The enormous orange one.” Bird hints that Squirrel might want to help out; Squirrel sets out to fetch some work gloves and returns to find only four pumpkins. The frequently distracted Squirrel notices more gourds disappearing and leaps to the conclusion that a thief is near. And where’s Bird?! Has Squirrel’s pal also been taken? Diligently detecting, Squirrel finds clues—peck marks, footprints, and more—and produces a sketch of the suspect. As readers will guess, each clue turns out to point to one of Squirrel and Bird’s friends. Turns out Bird was delivering pumpkins to their pals while saving the big one to give to “my very best friend,” Squirrel. But why does Squirrel haul it up a tree? “So the Pumpkin Thief can’t find it, of course!” A page of pumpkin facts provides the learning component common to all titles in this series. Once more, readers will enjoy the pleasure of prediction and repetition, Squirrel’s silly persistence, Bird’s generosity, and the vibrant color illustrations, balancing orange with green.
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 28, 2026
ISBN: 9781464268076
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2026
Fun times, fond friends, and a festive farmyard setting—little ones will be charmed.
Beep! Beep! Beep! Toad and Little Blue Truck get ready for a hayride.
After the titular vehicle is loaded with hay, Toad is nowhere to be found. “Beep! Beep! Beep! Where are you, Toad?” asks Little Blue Truck. All the barnyard animals look for him. Sheep searches the meadow. Goose and Duck check the pond. Others pitch in, too, but Toad seems to have disappeared…until Hen hears snoring coming from the pile of hay in the back of Little Blue Truck. Although the text’s scansion is imperfect in places (adults may want to pre-read to ensure a smooth read-aloud), the bouncy meter and rhyming text nevertheless capture the energy of the search and the farmyard community’s concern for Toad’s safety, making this a solid storytime choice. Eye-catching illustrations with rich, fully saturated colors balance the right level of detail while still highlighting the animal that is the focus of each verse. By introducing one farm animal at a time, Schertle also helps the youngest readers begin to identify barnyard animals by name and understand their unique farm homes. Traditional animal sounds are part of the text, and listeners will add them to their vocabulary. It all ends with the promised hayride, bringing the tale to a joyous ending.
Fun times, fond friends, and a festive farmyard setting—little ones will be charmed. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2026
ISBN: 9780063436121
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: July 20, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2026
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