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
Two delightfully dense heroes bring folk tales into the 21st century, and young readers are all the richer for it.
Two thickheaded macaroni noodles prove the old adage: a fool and his firewood are soon parted.
Fools have been called “noodleheads” for centuries, but until recently few have represented the term quite so literally. Mac and Mac aren’t the brightest pieces of pasta in the world, but their hearts are in the right place. Here, the two decide to help their mama out by gathering firewood in hopes that she’ll bake them a cake. As they are attempting to cut the very branch they’re sitting on, a passing meatball points out that they are mere minutes away from bruised bottoms. When his words come to pass, our heroes decide the meatball is clairvoyant and demand to know their future. Drawing on and smoothly weaving together a variety of folk tales, the brief graphic novel describes how its obtuse protagonists single-mindedly seek cake, even as they anticipate death, purchase “firewood seeds” (aka acorns), and accidentally dig their mother a garden. Emergent readers will appreciate the simple text, short chapters, and comics-inspired paneled illustrations. Adults will appreciate the authors’ note, which goes into some detail about each chapter’s folk origins.
Two delightfully dense heroes bring folk tales into the 21st century, and young readers are all the richer for it. (Graphic early reader. 5-9)Pub Date: March 15, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3673-6
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 20, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
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
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