Young children in wintry climes will certainly see their own snow-day play reflected here; the only thing missing is the...
Two friends enjoy a realistic day of play in the snow, complete with sledding, an argument, reconciliation, and treats.
Peep and Ducky venture out with sleds into the falling snow at the same time. They have only one run—a race—but it’s a doozy, as they glide easily side by side until they encounter a bump and Peep sails into the air, landing on top of Ducky to finish the suddenly, thrillingly, very fast ride. Trouble arises when the duo attempts a snowman. “Ducky gets mad / and snow starts a-flying. / And after a while, / both are crying.” But as they yell back and forth about just who is “madder,” feet stomping and wings flailing, laughter gets the better of them. And just then, Momma and Poppa arrive on toboggans to share a few runs, treats, and hot chocolate. A hug between friends is the perfect ending to their very realistic day. The simple mixed-media illustrations keep the focus on the warm friendship amid the cool whites and light blues of a winter day. Larger, yellow Ducky is referred to with the male pronoun. He sports a green scarf and blue boots, while blue Peep, not gendered, wears a pink pompom hat and boots. Momma and Poppa are larger versions of their kids.
Young children in wintry climes will certainly see their own snow-day play reflected here; the only thing missing is the putting-on-the-snowsuit struggle. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9433-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Oct. 14, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2018
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it.
What happens when a robot washes up alone on an island?
“Everything was just right on the island.” Brown beautifully re-creates the first days of Roz, the protagonist of his Wild Robot novels, as she adapts to living in the natural world. A storm-tossed ship, seen in the opening just before the title page, and a packing crate are the only other human-made objects to appear in this close-up look at the robot and her new home. Roz emerges from the crate, and her first thought as she sets off up a grassy hill—”This must be where I belong”—is sweetly glorious, a note of recognition rather than conquest. Roz learns to move, hide, and communicate like the creatures she meets. When she discovers an orphaned egg—and the gosling Brightbill, who eventually hatches—her decision to be his mother seems a natural extension of her adaptation. Once he flies south for the winter, her quiet wait across seasons for his return is a poignant portrayal of separation and change. Brown’s clean, precise lines and deep, light-filled colors offer a sense of what Roz might be seeing, suggesting a place that is alive yet deeply serene and radiant. Though the book stands alone, it adds an immensely appealing dimension to Roz’s world. Round thumbnails offer charming peeks into the island world, depicting Roz’s animal neighbors and Brightbill’s maturation.
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 24, 2025
ISBN: 9780316669467
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
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