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
While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of...
Rabe follows a young girl through her first 12 days of kindergarten in this book based on the familiar Christmas carol.
The typical firsts of school are here: riding the bus, making friends, sliding on the playground slide, counting, sorting shapes, laughing at lunch, painting, singing, reading, running, jumping rope, and going on a field trip. While the days are given ordinal numbers, the song skips the cardinal numbers in the verses, and the rhythm is sometimes off: “On the second day of kindergarten / I thought it was so cool / making lots of friends / and riding the bus to my school!” The narrator is a white brunette who wears either a tunic or a dress each day, making her pretty easy to differentiate from her classmates, a nice mix in terms of race; two students even sport glasses. The children in the ink, paint, and collage digital spreads show a variety of emotions, but most are happy to be at school, and the surroundings will be familiar to those who have made an orientation visit to their own schools.
While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of Kindergarten (2003), it basically gets the job done. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: June 21, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-06-234834-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle...
Making things is difficult work. Readers will recognize the stages of this young heroine’s experience as she struggles to realize her vision.
First comes anticipation. The artist/engineer is spotted jauntily pulling a wagonload of junkyard treasures. Accompanied by her trusty canine companion, she begins drawing plans and building an assemblage. The narration has a breezy tone: “[S]he makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” The colorful caricatures and creations contrast with the digital black outlines on a white background that depict an urban neighborhood. Intermittent blue-gray panels break up the white expanses on selected pages showing sequential actions. When the first piece doesn’t turn out as desired, the protagonist tries again, hoping to achieve magnificence. A model of persistence, she tries many adjustments; the vocabulary alone offers constructive behaviors: she “tinkers,” “wrenches,” “fiddles,” “examines,” “stares” and “tweaks.” Such hard work, however, combines with disappointing results, eventually leading to frustration, anger and injury. Explosive emotions are followed by defeat, portrayed with a small font and scaled-down figures. When the dog, whose expressions have humorously mirrored his owner’s through each phase, retrieves his leash, the resulting stroll serves them well. A fresh perspective brings renewed enthusiasm and—spoiler alert—a most magnificent scooter sidecar for a loyal assistant.
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle characterization for maximum delight. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-55453-704-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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