A teaching text for those whose taste runs to the saccharine.
Rabbit sisters quibble over the utility of compassion.
The question of taxonomy is at the heart of this picture book. Clad in cape and leotard, Superbuns (nee Buns) is compelled to perform random acts of kindness, and she seems convinced that her “listening ears,” “huge heart,” and “big caring eyes” count as superpowers. Her know-it-all big sister, Blossom, a bespectacled cynic, is familiar with more-traditional abilities such as strength and speed, arguing that “Kind is kind, but it’s not a superpower!” The climax results from another disagreement of category when, en route to Grammy’s, Superbuns holds the door for a young fox, saying, “I noticed that you’ve been following us all day.” Blossom panics, rightfully informing her sister that foxes are known to eat rabbits, but the caring pseudo-hero understands that in this world of anthropomorphized animals, the fox is in need of protection. Blossom is won over by the big-eyed predator’s predicament and the opportunity to show off her knowledge of geography, ultimately conceding that “maybe being kind was kind of…super.” The goofy, buck-toothed rabbits, set against an anodyne version of New York City, are cute, and there is a fizzy graphic-novel vibe to the illustrations, but the overall story comes across as cloying and contrived. Kids who identify with Superbuns will feel validated; less so the Blossoms in the audience.
A teaching text for those whose taste runs to the saccharine. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 2, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4814-9068-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: March 11, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers.
Echoing the meter of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Ward uses catchy original rhymes to describe the variety of nests birds create.
Each sweet stanza is complemented by a factual, engaging description of the nesting habits of each bird. Some of the notes are intriguing, such as the fact that the hummingbird uses flexible spider web to construct its cup-shaped nest so the nest will stretch as the chicks grow. An especially endearing nesting behavior is that of the emperor penguin, who, with unbelievable patience, incubates the egg between his tummy and his feet for up to 60 days. The author clearly feels a mission to impart her extensive knowledge of birds and bird behavior to the very young, and she’s found an appealing and attractive way to accomplish this. The simple rhymes on the left page of each spread, written from the young bird’s perspective, will appeal to younger children, and the notes on the right-hand page of each spread provide more complex factual information that will help parents answer further questions and satisfy the curiosity of older children. Jenkins’ accomplished collage illustrations of common bird species—woodpecker, hummingbird, cowbird, emperor penguin, eagle, owl, wren—as well as exotics, such as flamingoes and hornbills, are characteristically naturalistic and accurate in detail.
A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers. (author’s note, further resources) (Informational picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 18, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4424-2116-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2014
A rousing tale worth sneaking into youngsters’ Easter baskets.
It’s nearly time for the Easter egg hunt…but where’s the guest of honor?
The minutes are ticking away, but the eggs haven’t been hidden, and the Easter Bunny (described with they/them pronouns) is lost! Five children, who vary in skin tone, decide to shepherd the bunny to the city park where the hunt is being held, but they face delays at each turn. Knowing that grown-ups will “fuss and hover” if they notice the Easter Bunny, they disguise the rabbit as a street musician, but a crowd gathers to listen. A wagon, a bonnet, and a pacifier transform the bunny into the cutest baby ever, but they swiftly draw a horde of admirers. Later, a minimally disguised Easter Bunny joins a random throng of turkeys in the park—a shoutout to the creators’ Turkeys in Disguise (2025)—and somehow avoids detection. Eventually, all the eggs are hidden, and the Easter Bunny hops away. Realizing that they’ve missed the egg hunt amid the chaos, the children are dismayed―until they discover the perfect treats that the rabbit has hidden just for them. Cleland’s vibrant digital cartoon illustrations have a scribbly, childlike feel as they depict the fun-loving kids cooperating and actively problem-solving; readers will enjoy searching for the eggs and the sometimes hidden Easter Bunny. Platt’s jaunty, action-packed rhyme includes vocabulary to engage older listeners as well.
A rousing tale worth sneaking into youngsters’ Easter baskets. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
ISBN: 9780063483033
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Nov. 8, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2025
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