A riotous reptile tale that’s perfect for animal lovers.
In this picture book, an unappealing blob falls out of the sky right on a lizard’s head.
A lizard sleeps on a branch when all of a sudden there’s a splat. A mysterious pink goop drops on his head, prompting the reptile to point a finger at a number of suspects and ask them: “Did you poop on me?” The lizard approaches a worm, a fish, and a flower, all of whom respond in the negative by pointing out that they poop elsewhere or don’t poop at all. The lizard even turns to the audience, breaking the fourth wall in a way that is sure to leave readers giggling. At a loss and bombarded by even more pink stuff from the sky, the lizard tries to hide the unsightly accident, but a nearby giraffe, snail, and gorilla notice anyway. Luckily for the reptile, it turns out the ooze might not be poop after all—or is it? This quirky work, Cunliffe’s fifth picture book after Whoever Heard of a Flying Bird? (2020), makes for an engaging toddler and preschool read-aloud. Not only does the story sneak in some facts about the animals’ homes, it also appeals to the nearly universal, child-approved urge to make potty jokes. The tale’s cliffhanger ending gives young readers the chance to explore their imaginations to decide what really happened. Barrera’s illustrations are bold and colorful, excelling with their larger-than-life portrayals of the lizard’s many pouty facial expressions.
A riotous reptile tale that’s perfect for animal lovers.Pub Date: Aug. 15, 2023
ISBN: 978-0997567366
Page Count: 42
Publisher: Bedtime Press
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.
A dog-loving child encourages a less-than-enthusiastic younger one to imagine they’re both canines.
From the first declaration—“I’d be a big dog! And you’d be a little one!”—readers know who’s calling the shots. Initially, the protagonists cavort off the page and through the neighborhood together, performing doggy capers such as tail wagging, stick carrying, and dirt digging. But by the time they encounter a multitude of like-minded creatures at the dog park, the disgruntled small pup is exhibiting out-and-out rebellion: “Being a dog is YOUR idea! Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!” The narrative wraps up with the younger child pretending to be a different animal entirely—cleverly foreshadowed through subtle details in the illustrations. Even the endpapers—lively silhouettes of dogs in the beginning and many different animals in closing—extend the theme to suggest the imaginative possibilities of pretend play. Cheerful, lightly hued colors fit the whimsical mood, while expressive body language allows the art to tell the story with a minimum of words. Ending on a surprising note, with a sweet compromise between the two main characters, the tale gives both kids the freedom to embrace their own preferences and styles—while still enjoying their game.
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9780316581721
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance.
A boy with wings learns to be himself and inspires others like him to soar, too.
Norman, a “perfectly normal” boy, never dreamed he might grow wings. Afraid of what his parents might say, he hides his new wings under a big, stuffy coat. Although the coat hides his wings from the world, Norman no longer finds joy in bathtime, playing at the park, swimming, or birthday parties. With the gentle encouragement of his parents, who see his sadness, Norman finds the courage to come out of hiding and soar. Percival (The Magic Looking Glass, 2017, etc.) depicts Norman with light skin and dark hair. Black-and-white illustrations show his father with dark skin and hair and his mother as white. The contrast of black-and-white illustrations with splashes of bright color complements the story’s theme. While Norman tries to be “normal,” the world and people around him look black and gray, but his coat stands out in yellow. Birds pop from the page in pink, green, and blue, emphasizing the joy and beauty of flying free. The final spread, full of bright color and multiracial children in flight, sets the mood for Norman’s realization on the last page that there is “no such thing as perfectly normal,” but he can be “perfectly Norman.”
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: May 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68119-785-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
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