A fun series installment that’s less focused on dental hygiene and more on magical hijinks.
Tooth fairies discover an unusual creature as they’re prepping for a talent show in this illustrated children’s book, the third in a series.
When kids put baby teeth under their pillows, Tooth Collectors from the land of Brushelot gather them up to make fairy dust, which enables them to fly. Only well-brushed teeth make the grade. In two previous installments, Batina and her fellow newbies learned their jobs and helped a friend who was banished to Decay Valley. Now it’s time for the annual Tooth Fairy Day Celebration, which includes a talent show. Batina and her friends hope to win first place with their pompom cheer, but first, they come across a small, scared rainbow-colored animal called a caticorn. Until her mother can be found, they name the caticorn Enamelina and take care of her—discovering she’s something of a handful, however adorable. Her shenanigans jeopardize the team’s performance. One fairy sprains her ankle and can’t compete; meanwhile, other contestants are delayed by weather. The cheer and dance teams combine as the Brushelot Pompom Brigade. Enamelina joins in, surprising everyone with a special talent, and the story ends on a heartwarming note. In her third chapter book, Ditto explores the social world of Brushelot. The story teaches a gentle lesson about the real responsibilities of having a pet. The fairies also demonstrate good problem-solving skills by pivoting with the reformed performance team. Luckily, Enamelina’s mischief provides entertaining plot obstacles, and there’s plenty of fairy-dust magic, celebration, and friendship. Utomo, who illustrated the previous books, again provides enjoyably whimsical, pastel digital images that depict racially diverse fairies.
A fun series installment that’s less focused on dental hygiene and more on magical hijinks.Pub Date: May 27, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-73-733810-9
Page Count: 84
Publisher: Ditto Enterprises
Review Posted Online: July 30, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Lively fun with animal friends.
Has Plum’s pep deserted him?
Several animals from the Athensville Zoo are on their way to visit an elementary school. Overconfident Itch the ningbing (an Australian marsupial), unaware that zookeeper Lizzie will be doing all the talking, looks forward to “lecturing eager young minds.” Plum, the usually chipper peacock, on the other hand, is anxious—maybe the schoolchildren won’t like him or he’ll get lost. So when they arrive at the school to find the students have been sent home due to a blizzard, Plum is relieved. The animals are left in a school gym for the night until three self-important class mice free them. Itch heads for the library to meet the learned turtle, but Plum reluctantly explores with his friends. When his anxiety peaks, they reassure him, and when the mice reject Meg, another peacock, as “borrrring” and uncool, they buoy her as well before everyone comes together to save Itch, who finds himself outside and stranded in a snowdrift. Unlike Leave It to Plum (2022), this is not a mystery, and the relationship focus shifts from Lizzie to the rodents, but the pace is brisk, and sequel seekers will be pleased to revisit familiar characters (if dismayed that Itch’s longing for knowledge leads to his downfall). In Phelan’s engaging grayscale pen-and-wash illustrations, Lizzie has short curly hair; text and art cue her as Latine.
Lively fun with animal friends. (how to draw Plum) (Chapter book. 7-10)Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-06-307920-5
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Embedded in this heartwarming story of doing the right thing is a deft examination of the pressures of income inequality on...
Continuing from their acclaimed Those Shoes (2007), Boelts and Jones entwine conversations on money, motives, and morality.
This second collaboration between author and illustrator is set within an urban multicultural streetscape, where brown-skinned protagonist Ruben wishes for a bike like his friend Sergio’s. He wishes, but Ruben knows too well the pressure his family feels to prioritize the essentials. While Sergio buys a pack of football cards from Sonny’s Grocery, Ruben must buy the bread his mom wants. A familiar lady drops what Ruben believes to be a $1 bill, but picking it up, to his shock, he discovers $100! Is this Ruben’s chance to get himself the bike of his dreams? In a fateful twist, Ruben loses track of the C-note and is sent into a panic. After finally finding it nestled deep in a backpack pocket, he comes to a sense of moral clarity: “I remember how it was for me when that money that was hers—then mine—was gone.” When he returns the bill to her, the lady offers Ruben her blessing, leaving him with double-dipped emotions, “happy and mixed up, full and empty.” Readers will be pleased that there’s no reward for Ruben’s choice of integrity beyond the priceless love and warmth of a family’s care and pride.
Embedded in this heartwarming story of doing the right thing is a deft examination of the pressures of income inequality on children. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6649-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
