In this tersely worded debut—“Give me that! Give me everything!”—a scowling, selfish little bear acts out, discovers that he’s lonely and changes his ways after a small turtle explains that he doesn’t have to be bossy. Dressed in cape and crown, and suspended against minimal or solid-color backgrounds, his size on the page changes as he takes charge or finds himself alone . . . very alone. Next to such other bossyboots as Rosemary Wells’s Ruby or that archetype, Eloise, this bear doesn’t show much personality, but similarly spoiled children who are beginning to feel as if they’re trapped by their own attitude might benefit from the insight. The bear resembles some of the “Uglydoll” toys that Horvath and his wife create, but isn’t quite as grotesque. (Picture book. 5-8)
Pub Date: May 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-1-4231-0336-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2007
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A somewhat self-indulgent, adult-friendly reminiscence elevated by beautiful art.
In this tale based on one of Polacco’s childhood experiences, a kind librarian encourages a girl’s interests.
After the death of Trsha's grandmother, her grandfather sells the family farm. Trisha’s mother moves her and her brother from the country to a converted coach house rental in Battle Creek, Michigan, until the next school year, when they are set to move to California. At school, Trisha is a little bit of an odd duck with her impressive bird knowledge, and she struggles with reading—these tensions are only barely touched on, though. Librarian Mrs. Creavy nurtures Trisha’s interest in birds by introducing her to John James Audubon’s art. Trisha’s bird drawings impress her classmates enough that they pick a bird theme for their classroom’s open house. Mrs. Creavy also provides the class with tickets for a nearby bird sanctuary, so Trisha can further share her avian adoration—her peers join her in feathered fine art creations, prompting Mrs. Creavy to bring in “the Michigan state chairman of the Audubon bird clubs of America” for the founding of their school’s chapter, with Trisha the first member. The story is sweet but slightly more geared to adult sensibilities than children’s, and it is a touch narratively unbalanced—where it shines the most is in the juxtaposition between the child artists’ charming works and the author/illustrator’s bright, exquisite birds. Most characters, including Trisha and her family, present White. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A somewhat self-indulgent, adult-friendly reminiscence elevated by beautiful art. (author’s note) (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: March 7, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-5344-5131-5
Page Count: 56
Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Nov. 15, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2022
Wins for compassion and for the refusal to let physical limitations hold one back.
With such short arms, how can Tiny T. Rex give a sad friend a hug?
Fleck goes for cute in the simple, minimally detailed illustrations, drawing the diminutive theropod with a chubby turquoise body and little nubs for limbs under a massive, squared-off head. Impelled by the sight of stegosaurian buddy Pointy looking glum, little Tiny sets out to attempt the seemingly impossible, a comforting hug. Having made the rounds seeking advice—the dino’s pea-green dad recommends math; purple, New Age aunt offers cucumber juice (“That is disgusting”); red mom tells him that it’s OK not to be able to hug (“You are tiny, but your heart is big!”), and blue and yellow older sibs suggest practice—Tiny takes up the last as the most immediately useful notion. Unfortunately, the “tree” the little reptile tries to hug turns out to be a pterodactyl’s leg. “Now I am falling,” Tiny notes in the consistently self-referential narrative. “I should not have let go.” Fortunately, Tiny lands on Pointy’s head, and the proclamation that though Rexes’ hugs may be tiny, “I will do my very best because you are my very best friend” proves just the mood-lightening ticket. “Thank you, Tiny. That was the biggest hug ever.” Young audiences always find the “clueless grown-ups” trope a knee-slapper, the overall tone never turns preachy, and Tiny’s instinctive kindness definitely puts him at (gentle) odds with the dinky dino star of Bob Shea’s Dinosaur Vs. series.
Wins for compassion and for the refusal to let physical limitations hold one back. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: March 5, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4521-7033-6
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 11, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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