Another stellar entry in a series that celebrates independence and the importance of small victories.
Oh no! The moon is stuck!
While on a nighttime walk with Mama, the inquisitively precocious toddler from Goodale’s Robin and the Stick (2026) pretends to hold the moon and then gently toss it back up into the air. Preparing for bedtime later, Robin is alarmed to see the moon caught in the branches of the tree outside the window. Mama reassures Robin, who nevertheless tries to blow the moon away by breathing on it. Robin eventually falls asleep and dreams of freeing the moon, thus ensuring a good night’s sleep—depicted in a series of stunning spreads, set in etched black-and-white monoprint and oil, that brilliantly use perspective and light. Goodale presents Robin’s feelings as thoughts, not spoken words; this is a gorgeous look at the rich interiority of a small child navigating complex emotions with limitless energy and empathy. Young readers will relate to Robin’s independence and persistence, as well as Goodale’s keen development of her protagonist’s sometimes esoteric personality (Robin’s affinity for sticks, both collected ones and those still intact on trees, is clear throughout). As in the first entry, Mama models great care, gently guiding Robin through big feelings while also giving the youngster the space and ability to figure things out independently. Robin and Mama have skin the color of the page; the child’s blue hoodie and, later, sleeper pop against the muted backdrops.
Another stellar entry in a series that celebrates independence and the importance of small victories. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2026
ISBN: 9781419780851
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: May 18, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
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