Read it and smile.
What happens when a shy, stay-at-home boy meets a timid, tree-bound bird?
Large, googly eyeballs are the common physical trait of Lawrence—a light-skinned child who apparently lives alone in a pale green house surrounded by a stockade fence—and Sophia, a blue owlish bird whose nesting tree is just outside that fence. Shadowy figures of other people and animals are sometimes observable beyond the fence, but the two protagonists have the entire story and the quirky, watercolor artwork to themselves. And no more is needed for heartwarming entertainment! Simple text makes it clear that Lawrence does not go beyond his yard because “out there” is “very big,” “very loud,” and “very crowded.” Sophia stays up in the treetops because “down there” is “dark,” “bumpy,” and “dangerous.” A friendship slowly develops, with the duo finding clever ways of sharing activities without either of them moving beyond their respective comfort zone—complemented by very funny art. Soon after Sophia builds her nest closer to Lawrence’s house and Lawrence erects a tent near Sophia’s tree, a storm breaks out. Each character is so worried about the other’s welfare that they both undergo great transformations, conveyed in a way that will be easily understood by the youngest of readers. The final page adds the finishing touch to a tale that quietly applauds both the efforts and the rewards of friendship building and risk-taking. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Read it and smile. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 17, 2023
ISBN: 9780593618301
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Rocky Pond Books/Penguin
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2023
Sadly, the storytelling runs aground.
A little red sleigh has big Christmas dreams.
Although the detailed, full-color art doesn’t anthropomorphize the protagonist (which readers will likely identify as a sled and not a sleigh), a close third-person text affords the object thoughts and feelings while assigning feminine pronouns. “She longed to become Santa’s big red sleigh,” reads an early line establishing the sleigh’s motivation to leave her Christmas-shop home for the North Pole. Other toys discourage her, but she perseveres despite creeping self-doubt. A train and truck help the sleigh along, and when she wishes she were big, fast, and powerful like them, they offer encouragement and counsel patience. When a storm descends after the sleigh strikes out on her own, an unnamed girl playing in the snow brings her to a group of children who all take turns riding the sleigh down a hill. When the girl brings her home, the sleigh is crestfallen she didn’t reach the North Pole. A convoluted happily-ever-after ending shows a note from Santa that thanks the sleigh for giving children joy and invites her to the North Pole next year. “At last she understood what she was meant to do. She would build her life up spreading joy, one child at a time.” Will she leave the girl’s house to be gifted to other children? Will she stay and somehow also reach ever more children? Readers will be left wondering. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 31.8% of actual size.)
Sadly, the storytelling runs aground. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-72822-355-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2020
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.
A dog-loving child encourages a less-than-enthusiastic younger one to imagine they’re both canines.
From the first declaration—“I’d be a big dog! And you’d be a little one!”—readers know who’s calling the shots. Initially, the protagonists cavort off the page and through the neighborhood together, performing doggy capers such as tail wagging, stick carrying, and dirt digging. But by the time they encounter a multitude of like-minded creatures at the dog park, the disgruntled small pup is exhibiting out-and-out rebellion: “Being a dog is YOUR idea! Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!” The narrative wraps up with the younger child pretending to be a different animal entirely—cleverly foreshadowed through subtle details in the illustrations. Even the endpapers—lively silhouettes of dogs in the beginning and many different animals in closing—extend the theme to suggest the imaginative possibilities of pretend play. Cheerful, lightly hued colors fit the whimsical mood, while expressive body language allows the art to tell the story with a minimum of words. Ending on a surprising note, with a sweet compromise between the two main characters, the tale gives both kids the freedom to embrace their own preferences and styles—while still enjoying their game.
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9780316581721
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
© 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.
