An often charming, if occasionally uneven, collection.
A posthumous compilation of poems and stories about nature for young readers, written and illustrated by Parlee.
This book of four short stories and more than 20 poems centered on the natural world is dedicated to the author’s granddaughter and was compiled and published by her daughter, Rena Parsey. In a preface, Parsey describes Parlee as an imaginative, inventive person, noting that “sometimes a creative idea would strike her imagination, and it could not be stopped—hence this book.” Each entry features hand-drawn illustrations, mostly featuring the animals, insects, and occasional elf or fairy described in the text. The poems are short and easy to read: “The sun has set, and night is falling. / A busy day is done. / Safety of the coop is calling. / The hens file in, one by one” (“Hen’s Good Night”). Although the rhyme schemes are simple, they’re skillfully executed and don’t rely on imperfect rhymes that might trip up youngsters. “Dandelion’s Song” is especially appealing, reminding readers of the joy to be found in humble dandelions. The stories are a mixed bag: “How the Frog Became the Fairies’ Guard” is a fun tale of how frogs got their lovely singing voices in exchange for protecting the fairies’ home from rampaging trolls, but “The Story of Bitty Betty” and “Camp Out at Cougar Gulch” tend to ramble, although the foreword notes that some entries were possibly “not complete or polished”; they may appeal most to members of Parlee’s family. The illustrations, though, are the most charming part of the book: The animals and birds are portrayed in a wonderfully realistic manner and even the more fanciful creatures come alive. The old-fashioned look of these illustrations may not appeal to some, but others are sure to enjoy its distinct, vintage style.
An often charming, if occasionally uneven, collection.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: July 18, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.
Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.
When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9780316669412
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
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