Even funnier and sweeter than its predecessor.
A Viking helps his girlfriend achieve a goal.
This tale focuses on Stig’s girlfriend, Ingrid, introduced in Cenko’s Viking in Love (2021), who wants to enter the Strongest Viking Contest to fulfill a childhood dream. The only problem? Swimming is a required part of the competition, but Ingrid can’t so much as doggy paddle. Stig convinces her to enter anyway, and she begins a rigorous training schedule, with Stig assisting each step of the way. By the day of the contest, however, she still hasn’t mastered swimming. Though the other Vikings tower over Ingrid, she easily excels at feats of strengths—as well as “Patting Your Head While Rubbing Your Belly and Then Switching Really Fast” and the “Running of the Kittens!” To complete the swimming portion of the contest, Ingrid brings along a flotation device—and so have the other Vikings. When the others get tangled up in a “floatie jam,” Ingrid’s ingenuity saves the day. Throughout, Stig and the couple’s adorably funny kittens cheer on Ingrid. Illustrations are packed with cues that reinforce children’s visual intelligence and will prompt big laughs. Themes of persevering despite the odds and supporting a loved one are valuable reminders for readers of all ages. Fans of Viking in Love will see that Stig has finally become comfortable in the water himself, his fear of water being the central conflict when he was trying to woo Ingrid. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Even funnier and sweeter than its predecessor. (Picture book. 4-9)Pub Date: July 25, 2023
ISBN: 9780593202326
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: April 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn.
A young owl achieves his grand ambition.
Owl, an adorably earnest and gallant little owlet, dreams of being a knight. He imagines himself defeating dragons and winning favor far and wide through his brave exploits. When a record number of knights go missing, Owl applies to Knight School and is surprisingly accepted. He is much smaller than the other knights-in-training, struggles to wield weapons, and has “a habit of nodding off during the day.” Nevertheless, he graduates and is assigned to the Knight Night Watch. While patrolling the castle walls one night, a hungry dragon shows up and Owl must use his wits to avoid meeting a terrible end. The result is both humorous and heartwarming, offering an affirmation of courage and clear thinking no matter one’s size…and demonstrating the power of a midnight snack. The story never directly addresses the question of the missing knights, but it is hinted that they became the dragon’s fodder, leaving readers to question Owl’s decision to befriend the beast. Humor is supplied by the characters’ facial expressions and accented by the fact that Owl is the only animal in his order of big, burly human knights. Denise’s accomplished digital illustrations—many of which are full bleeds—often use a warm sepia palette that evokes a feeling of antiquity, and some spreads feature a pleasing play of chiaroscuro that creates suspense and drama.
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-316-31062-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 15, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2022
A cheery story that “wool” likely evoke some smiles.
A “baa”-nd of pirates gets the wool pulled over their eyes.
After a treasure-hunting foray, Captain Hoof and his crew of fleecy sheep are homeward bound with a glittery bounty—the lost Golden Shears, which once belonged to the infamous Woolly Jones. Suddenly, huge waves engulf and smash their ship. They’re sheepwrecked and stranded on Foggy Island, home to none other than Woolly Jones. After nearly a month of failed attempts to get off the island, Captain Hoof decides to return the shears to their rightful owner. Trekking across the island through fog as thick and impenetrable as wool, captain and crew eventually bump into their nemesis, who snatches the shears from the captain’s hooves. Expecting dire consequences, everyone starts to flee, but things turn out wool, er, well. In a 90-degree book turn, Woolly is depicted using the shears to give himself a much-needed “woolcut.” He’s grateful for the shears—and for the company after a long, lonely spell. Captain Hoof and crew are delighted at this outcome. This is a cute tale, though the plot is a bit thin; the numerous, amusing sheep puns will appeal more to grown-ups than kids. But the digital illustrations are comical and dynamic, and the all-ovine protagonists are lively and expressive. The book contains lots of typographical creativity, including some onomatopoeic words, incorporated into the artwork, and maps in the endpapers include islands bearing funny, aptly punny names.
A cheery story that “wool” likely evoke some smiles. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: July 9, 2024
ISBN: 9780593569665
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: April 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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