by Dave Horowitz & illustrated by Dave Horowitz ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 2011
Narcissa is a bunny with an issue: Arrogance and conceit are some descriptors that might fit the bill. She stares at herself in a mirror, compliments herself to nearby animals and insults the appearances of other creatures that are less attractive (in her immodest opinion). When she stops to admire her reflection in a pond (recalling the myth of Narcissus, with a nod to those who remember their classical mythology), she spies a clownish, warts-and-all frog. He kindly offers her one free wish, but when Narcissa responds with a characteristic insult, the frog puts an evil spell on the ungrateful rabbit. With this spell, each time Narcissa laughs, she acquires one physical trait from the animals she has insulted: a beaver’s tail, a turtle’s shell and a moose’s antlers. Dejected by her altered appearance, Narcissa wishes she could start the day all over again, and—poof!—the final page repeats the first page, with Narcissa again admiring herself in her mirror. This open-ended conclusion allows for discussion or simply quiet reflection about what the vain little rabbit may have learned. At first glance, the story, much like Narcissa herself, seems lightweight and even shallow, but there are subtle and worthwhile lessons hidden within the humor and trendy figures of speech. Bold, cartoon-style illustrations use speech balloons and sound-effect phrases for added humor. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-399-25276-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: Feb. 20, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2011
Share your opinion of this book
More by Dave Horowitz
BOOK REVIEW
by Dave Horowitz ; illustrated by Dave Horowitz
BOOK REVIEW
adapted by Dave Horowitz ; illustrated by Dave Horowitz
BOOK REVIEW
by Woody Guthrie ; illustrated by Dave Horowitz
by Karma Wilson ; illustrated by Jane Chapman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 16, 2024
Cheery fun that will leave series fans “egg”-static.
In his latest outing, Bear and his pals go in search of eggs.
Bear “lumbers with his friends through the Strawberry Vale.” Raven finds a nest; climbing up, “The bear finds eggs!”: a refrain that appears throughout. Instead of eating the robin’s eggs, however, Bear leaves a gift of dried berries in the nest for the “soon-to-be-chicks.” Next, the friends find 10 mallard eggs (as bright blue as the robin’s), and Bear leaves sunflower seeds. Then the wail of Mama Meadowlark, whose bright yellow undercarriage strikes a warm golden note, leads them to promise to find her lost eggs. With his friends’ assistance, Bear finds one, and they decide to paint them “so they aren’t lost again.” Another is discovered, painted, and placed in Hare’s basket. After hours of persistent searching, Bear suddenly spots the remaining two eggs “in a small patch of clover.” Before they can return these eggs, the chicks hatch and rejoin their mother. Back at his lair, Bear, with his troupe, is visited by all 17 chicks and the robin, mallard, and meadowlark moms: “And the bear finds friends!” Though this sweet spring tale centers on finding and painting eggs, it makes no overt references to Easter. The soft green and blue acrylics, predictable rhymes, and rolling rhythm make this series installment another low-key natural read-aloud.
Cheery fun that will leave series fans “egg”-static. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 16, 2024
ISBN: 9781665936552
Page Count: 40
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
Share your opinion of this book
More by Karma Wilson
BOOK REVIEW
by Karma Wilson ; illustrated by AG Ford
BOOK REVIEW
by Karma Wilson ; illustrated by Jane Chapman
BOOK REVIEW
by Karma Wilson ; illustrated by Jane Chapman
by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2020
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
Share your opinion of this book
More by Pip Jones
BOOK REVIEW
by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
BOOK REVIEW
by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Laura Hughes
BOOK REVIEW
by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Ella Okstad
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.