Form and function meld with fun and whimsy in a tale of the futility of building walls.
The fur flies in this clever tale of a friendship’s dissolution and subsequent resolution.
Neighbors Kitty and Pup are the best of pals. All that changes on the day Kitty eats Pup’s fish and Pup purloins Kitty’s slipper. Now the best of friends are the worst of enemies. Together the animals build a wall separating their residences, with the book’s flaps allowing readers to glimpse what’s happening on either side. Peace reigns once the wall is done, until the day an adorable bunny appears on top of it. Both cat and dog are determined to befriend the rabbit, a plan that leads first to catastrophe but eventually yields a solution that mends old hurts and makes everyone happy. In this French import, Perrin has filled the pages to overflowing with tiny details. Sharp-eyed readers will notice a mouse feeding and rescuing a caged friend on Kitty’s side of the wall, a pair of birds starting a life together, and more. Meanwhile, the book’s strategically placed flaps adeptly advance the storyline, culminating in a broken wall, its gaps clear and present. With the storytelling and art seamlessly blended, the flaps are a necessity to the plot rather than a gimmick or an artistic trick.
Form and function meld with fun and whimsy in a tale of the futility of building walls. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9798765688656
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Gecko Press
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2025
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it.
What happens when a robot washes up alone on an island?
“Everything was just right on the island.” Brown beautifully re-creates the first days of Roz, the protagonist of his Wild Robot novels, as she adapts to living in the natural world. A storm-tossed ship, seen in the opening just before the title page, and a packing crate are the only other human-made objects to appear in this close-up look at the robot and her new home. Roz emerges from the crate, and her first thought as she sets off up a grassy hill—”This must be where I belong”—is sweetly glorious, a note of recognition rather than conquest. Roz learns to move, hide, and communicate like the creatures she meets. When she discovers an orphaned egg—and the gosling Brightbill, who eventually hatches—her decision to be his mother seems a natural extension of her adaptation. Once he flies south for the winter, her quiet wait across seasons for his return is a poignant portrayal of separation and change. Brown’s clean, precise lines and deep, light-filled colors offer a sense of what Roz might be seeing, suggesting a place that is alive yet deeply serene and radiant. Though the book stands alone, it adds an immensely appealing dimension to Roz’s world. Round thumbnails offer charming peeks into the island world, depicting Roz’s animal neighbors and Brightbill’s maturation.
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 24, 2025
ISBN: 9780316669467
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
A good choice for offering comfort and support to a budding perfectionist.
Can anyone be perfect?
Beatrice Bottomwell always does everything right. “Most people in town didn’t even know Beatrice’s name. They just called her ‘The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes,’ because for as long as anyone could remember, she never did.” One Thursday though, she almost does something wrong (she drops some eggs while cooking at school but catches them just in time). Straightforward text describes Beatrice’s predicament as, unnerved, she ponders her almost-error and begins to worry. What if she really does do something wrong? Brightly colored watercolors and gentle humor combine to portray Beatrice’s eventful day, her growing fear and her sprightly pet hamster. During a school talent show, Beatrice finally makes a real mistake—in front of everyone. How will she cope? Learning how to relax enough to laugh and simply be herself just might do the trick. While the plot is predictable and the solution to the problem fairly pat, this is a well-intentioned story, full of acceptance and goodwill. It will be especially useful in a therapeutic setting; it may be a real comfort to a child who is afraid of making mistakes, while children dealing with similar issues will also find reassurance here.
A good choice for offering comfort and support to a budding perfectionist. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4022-5544-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2011
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