An affable bilingual read, although a bit thin on plot.
A little dog and his human “Grandma” spend time together in Gonzalez’s latest series picture book.
Cooper is an affectionate canine who lives with two humans, Mommy and Daddy. When Mommy brings Grandma (whom he also calls Abuela) to visit, Cooper is elated. As they dance together, Abuela imagines they’re in the Puerto Rican town square of her youth, and as they play hide-and-seek, Cooper pretends the bedroom is a playground and Abuela, his playmate. Later, they eat breakfast together, and Abuela shares a bit of her tortilla y torcino (omelet and bacon) with Cooper. The family takes a walk around a nearby lake; Cooper and Daddy search for squirrels while Abuela and Mommy chat. As their visit ends, they have one last snuggle in an armchair. The text works many Spanish phrases into the predominantly English-language story in a way that’s easy to understand without breaking the flow: “Cooper thinks visits with Abuela are los mejores, the best.” However, not every Spanish phrase is translated, which may be frustrating for young readers. Fallahee’s illustrations are enjoyable, if perhaps overly reminiscent of PBS’s Wild Kratts cartoon. There’s not much of a story here nor any overarching lesson. However, it’s a cute slice of life that’s certain to please dog-loving readers of all ages.
An affable bilingual read, although a bit thin on plot.Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-73361-306-4
Page Count: 34
Publisher: Mindful Spark
Review Posted Online: March 14, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Menacing and most likely to appeal to established fans of its co-creators.
Existing artwork from an artistic giant inspires a fairy-tale reimagination by a master of the horror genre.
In King’s interpretation of a classic Brothers Grimm story, which accompanies set and costume designs that the late Sendak created for a 1997 production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera, siblings Hansel and Gretel survive abandonment in the woods and an evil witch’s plot to gobble them up before finding their “happily ever after” alongside their father. Prose with the reassuring cadence of an old-timey tale, paired with Sendak’s instantly recognizable artwork, will lull readers before capitalizing on these creators’ knack for injecting darkness into seemingly safe spaces. Gaping faces loom in crevices of rocks and trees, and a gloomy palette of muted greens and ocher amplify the story’s foreboding tone, while King never sugarcoats the peach-skinned children’s peril. Branches with “clutching fingers” hide “the awful enchanted house” of a “child-stealing witch,” all portrayed in an eclectic mix of spot and full-bleed images. Featuring insults that might strike some as harsh (“idiot,” “fool”), the lengthy, dense text may try young readers’ patience, and the often overwhelmingly ominous mood feels more pitched to adults—particularly those familiar with King and Sendak—but an introduction acknowledges grandparents as a likely audience, and nostalgia may prompt leniency over an occasional disconnect between words and art.
Menacing and most likely to appeal to established fans of its co-creators. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9780062644695
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 15, 2025
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
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