A raucous tale for young noodle enthusiasts.
Grant’s rhyming picture book introduces kids to various pasta varieties.
Charli is a young girl who can’t get enough noodles. Clad in a tutu with her hair in wild, noodle-y blond curls, she declares, “I do not care what goes on top! Just don’t let the noodles stop!” The scenes alternate between relatively realistic and whimsical as Charli lassos her younger brother with fettucine, shreds on a linguine-strung guitar, and has a fusilli food fight with family. On ravioli-shaped pillows, Charli dreams of noodles dancing, and the silliness continues as Charli cleans outs the shelves in a grocery store’s pasta aisle. Overall, this is a lighthearted, hyperbolic read-aloud. It offers plenty of pasta terminology throughout, with Charli’s doll sometimes helpfully holding up a pronunciation guide; the rhyme scheme is well maintained throughout. The story ends with Charli asking to share her noodles with the reader, followed by a recipe for spaghetti and meatballs and a glossary of noodle shapes. Weaver’s cute, full-color illustrations features some airbrushed details that look a bit muddy, but this doesn’t affect the whimsy. Charli is depicted in the illustrations as White, and secondary characters have a range of skin tones.
A raucous tale for young noodle enthusiasts.Pub Date: June 25, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-73464-788-4
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: May 4, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Bear and Mouse are the 21st-century Damon and Pythias—kids who haven't met them yet will be happy they've encountered them...
Bear is sure no one could possibly be as sick as he is.
Bear has a miserable cold. His throat hurts, his snout is sore and red and he has retired to his chair to wallow in his misery. Enter Mouse, who is determined to make everything better. He is unrelentingly cheerful as he reads to Bear, sings to him and makes him soup. Bear is completely unappreciative and makes pronouncements about his weakness and trembling, and the “gravity of the situation.” He even dictates his will. After a long restful sleep, he feels much better, but now it is Mouse who is ill and Bear who provides care and sympathy. Bear is very much a diva, and Mouse is patient and kind. Becker employs a lively mix of dramatic, over-the-top dialogue, with a plethora of descriptive language to set the tone. Denton’s watercolor, ink and gouache illustrations are just right as they depict Bear in all his suffering glory. The double-page spread at the center, showing Mouse dragging a weak and helpless Bear up the stairs, is hilarious. This funny, gentle homily about friendship and selflessness begs to be read aloud with young readers acting out the parts.
Bear and Mouse are the 21st-century Damon and Pythias—kids who haven't met them yet will be happy they've encountered them now. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4756-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: July 5, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A modest call to individuality.
A young fashionista finds the perfect fit.
Birdie steps away from trendy footwear (Birdie's Big-Girl Shoes, 2009) when she realizes her too-snug party dress simply won't do. This birthday girl models an array of choices at the nearby boutique (“fabulously frilly sundress,” “lacy sheath” and “gauzy gown” included) but none feel "just like her." A return trip home and up the attic stairs reveals eclectic finery to suit the event—and her personality to boot. It's refreshing that Birdie's posh mom (her elongated figure emphasizes each sophisticated move) is far from rigid; this supportive parent encourages her daughter's mismatched ensemble, a hodgepodge of her grandpa's vest and bow-tie with flowing, boldly pattered skirt and whimsical, floral head-piece. As Birdie shimmies into each potentially restrictive outfit, Rim's illustrations capture each half-hearted shrug and sucked-in breath. Collage and watercolor accents lend a sensory feel to chromatic, textured design, though it's a pity the narration does not match the illustrations' or its subject's exuberance. The inclusion of Birdie's friends appears as an afterthought, but canine companion Monster remains a supportive secondary choice, dressed to the nines in his top hat to rave reviews (“Monster felt so… dapper!”).
A modest call to individuality. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-316-13287-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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