A well-illustrated story about how anyone can accept help and learn something new.
Two magical creatures get each other out of a bind and learn to appreciate their differences in Froh’s picture book.
Flying, fire-breathing dragon Dan and galloping unicorn Fran, who has a magical horn, live in the Emerald Kingdom. Their homes are on opposite sides of the Marbled Mountain, so they’ve never met. The two are variously described as caring, kind, and smart; these attributes come in handy when they finally meet after being swept far from their homes by a “blustery blizzard.” They quickly learn how their individual talents are good for some situations but not for others. Fran can’t breathe fire, for instance, but Dan realizes that she has “fire in a whole different way,” and although Dan doesn’t have a magic horn, Fran sees how he’s “magical in a whole different way.” Froh effectively infuses the book with simple lessons regarding the importance of lending a hand, being yourself, and appreciating others’ attributes. Svobodová’s full-color, painterly illustrations capture the whimsical architecture and colorful landscapes of the Emerald Kingdom, while textured details of the creatures’ skin and fur, facial expressions, and animated body movements add to the visual excitement. A map featuring other locations in the Emerald Kingdom is included, leaving the door open for a series of other adventures.
A well-illustrated story about how anyone can accept help and learn something new.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Dec. 7, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn.
A young owl achieves his grand ambition.
Owl, an adorably earnest and gallant little owlet, dreams of being a knight. He imagines himself defeating dragons and winning favor far and wide through his brave exploits. When a record number of knights go missing, Owl applies to Knight School and is surprisingly accepted. He is much smaller than the other knights-in-training, struggles to wield weapons, and has “a habit of nodding off during the day.” Nevertheless, he graduates and is assigned to the Knight Night Watch. While patrolling the castle walls one night, a hungry dragon shows up and Owl must use his wits to avoid meeting a terrible end. The result is both humorous and heartwarming, offering an affirmation of courage and clear thinking no matter one’s size…and demonstrating the power of a midnight snack. The story never directly addresses the question of the missing knights, but it is hinted that they became the dragon’s fodder, leaving readers to question Owl’s decision to befriend the beast. Humor is supplied by the characters’ facial expressions and accented by the fact that Owl is the only animal in his order of big, burly human knights. Denise’s accomplished digital illustrations—many of which are full bleeds—often use a warm sepia palette that evokes a feeling of antiquity, and some spreads feature a pleasing play of chiaroscuro that creates suspense and drama.
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-316-31062-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 15, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2022
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