A creative, myth-based ecological tale.
In Lee’s children’s book, mermaid characters tackle ocean pollution.
Mei, a mermaid from Orchid Island, just off Taiwan, receives a letter from Princess Hwangok of the Mermaids International Rescue Alliance saying that “Pirate Polymer is creating trouble in the East Sea” and Mei must gather her mermaid team. She begins her adventure in Batticaloa Lagoon on Sri Lanka where there’s an oil spill, then meets parrotfish and dugongs in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Near Belum Rainforest, she finds her mermaid friend Duyung; they see various sea creatures, including a blue whale, while rounding up other mermaid teammates. Later, sea turtles guide them to Tuki, a whale shark, who’s “ill from eating too much plastic.” A few humans also join the mermaids’ cause. Finally, the team finds Pirate Polymer dumping trash into the ocean, which is harmful to his beloved Irrawaddy dolphins. Readers will be eager to see if the MIRA team succeeds in stopping him. Lee adeptly weaves Asian Pacific locations, animals, and mythology into an inspiring, environmentally conscious story that entertains and educates children. Lee presents many learning opportunities throughout, and Su’s cartoon illustrations of Asian Pacific culture are colorful and detailed. Ocean pollution and dangers to sea life are prominent throughout, and important information follows in backmatter about the narrative’s animals, mythology, geography, and historical references.
A creative, myth-based ecological tale.Pub Date: Feb. 20, 2024
ISBN: 9781913891589
Page Count: 42
Publisher: Balestier Press
Review Posted Online: July 1, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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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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