An intriguing children’s story about a tiny bird earning his wings.
Laws against flying cannot quell a young bird’s desire to soar in Anderson’s debut children’s book.
None of the birds of Tree City know how to fly, so the only way they can reach their nests is by climbing a vast, spiral staircase. Charlie Sparrow’s father, a second-generation repairman, keeps those stairs in working order. One morning, young Charlie accompanies his father on a job and takes a tumble off a high branch. At that moment, something stirs within him, and he calmly spreads his wings floats to the ground. The experience leaves Charlie exhilarated and eager to try again, but his parents are horrified. They consult Dr. Nightingale, who diagnoses Charlie with “Leaping Syndrome,” described as “an extreme and dangerous urge to leap off things.” Just before Charlie is about to undergo the doctor’s treatment—a plucking procedure—he jumps out the window and again safely floats to the ground. Soon a mysterious bird in a long coat and fedora coaxes him into an old tree (which may raise parents’ eyebrows). He reveals himself to be Dr. Nightingale’s brother, but he holds an opposing view of Leaping Syndrome and encourages birds to follow their illicit muse. He introduces Charlie to a circle of other Leapers who engage in clandestine group therapy. Later, in the Leaping Cavern, Charlie’s unique floating ability puts him in the spotlight. Ultimately, Dr. Nightingale’s brother is put on trial, but the story ends on an uplifting note, with Charlie becoming the society’s designated flying instructor. Although children may applaud the group’s fortitude and Charlie’s perseverance, they may wonder why a society of birds doesn’t know how to fly, or why the birds have their wings regularly clipped. However, the story is nicely descriptive and its pace never falters. Anderson has also created fun, original and quirky characters, and children will likely enjoy their alliterative names, such as Wendy Warbler, Fanny Finch and Ronny Raven. The author’s accompanying pencil sketches are simplistic, but representational and expressive.
An intriguing children’s story about a tiny bird earning his wings.Pub Date: Dec. 11, 2012
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 62
Publisher: Underdog Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2013
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This bunny escapes all the traps but fails to find a logical plot or an emotional connection with readers.
The bestselling series (How to Catch an Elf, 2016, etc.) about capturing mythical creatures continues with a story about various ways to catch the Easter Bunny as it makes its annual deliveries.
The bunny narrates its own story in rhyming text, beginning with an introduction at its office in a manufacturing facility that creates Easter eggs and candy. The rabbit then abruptly takes off on its delivery route with a tiny basket of eggs strapped to its back, immediately encountering a trap with carrots and a box propped up with a stick. The narrative focuses on how the Easter Bunny avoids increasingly complex traps set up to catch him with no explanation as to who has set the traps or why. These traps include an underground tunnel, a fluorescent dance floor with a hidden pit of carrots, a robot bunny, pirates on an island, and a cannon that shoots candy fish, as well as some sort of locked, hazardous site with radiation danger. Readers of previous books in the series will understand the premise, but others will be confused by the rabbit’s frenetic escapades. Cartoon-style illustrations have a 1960s vibe, with a slightly scary, bow-tied bunny with chartreuse eyes and a glowing palette of neon shades that shout for attention.
This bunny escapes all the traps but fails to find a logical plot or an emotional connection with readers. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4926-3817-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Jan. 16, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
<p>Perfectly fine but nothing new.</p>
Caregiver-child love abounds in this rhyming board book full of animal puns.
One thing’s for certain, there’s plenty of sweet (and groanworthy) sentiments in this book. Rossner writes, “Giving HOGS and kisses / sends me to the moon!” and, “I’m such a lucky DUCK. / You really QUACK me up!” The book progresses entirely in this fashion, with a new animal pair and pun with each page turn. It reads well as a book for a caregiver to share with a lap-sitting child. On that mark, it succeeds in providing plenty of opportunities for giggles and snuggles. That said, at times the meter is forced, making the cadence a bit stilted, and the cuddles/bubbles rhyme is a dubious one. This is an issue for a book that will almost solely be read aloud. Gibson’s illustrations are very charming; the animals and insects with big eyes and expressive faces have high appeal. The warmth of the animals’ embraces and cuddles translates well from the page, inviting the same snuggles from readers. Decorated eggs appear on each page, and the bunny pair from the cover features prominently. Overall, the concept and message of the book are high interest and age-appropriate, but it doesn’t stand out from the very crowded shelf of “I love you, little one!” books similar to it.
<p>Perfectly fine but nothing new.</p> (Board book. 6 mos.-2)Pub Date: Feb. 2, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-7282-2343-8
Page Count: 25
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: May 18, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2021
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BOOK REVIEW
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