Deep in the swamp dwells Stinky, a purple, spotted monster with horns and a hedgehog ’do. Stinky lives up to his name, and the swamp is the perfect place for him: “I love the mushy, mucky mud. / I love the slimy slugs. / And I love the stinky smell! / (SNIFF) AHHHH…” But on the other side of the swamp is the town, which is full of children, who “like to take baths!” When a little boy builds a treehouse in Stinky’s swamp, he tries everything he can think of to drive the disgustingly clean creature out—until he discovers that this particular child is definitely a kindred spirit. This entry in the TOON line of comic-book early readers features agreeably distinct, faintly retro graphics in a crystal-clear sequential layout dotted with carefully placed environmental print and sound effects (“BLORP, BLORP”) to complement the speech balloons. The winning story carries itself on spunk and a controlled vocabulary that combines judiciously chosen sight words (onion, gross) with easily sounded-out words (slimy slugs!) that will have emerging readers in stitches. (Early reader. 4-8)
Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-9799238-4-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: RAW Junior/TOON Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2008
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A touching story of familial love and of respect and gratitude for the bounty of the land.
A magical intergenerational story of gifts and cultural rituals shared between a grandmother and her granddaughter.
A Tlingit grandmother takes her young granddaughter to a nearby island for a berry-picking adventure in the forest. To alert the forest bear and the various types of berries that glow “like little jewels” of their presence, the pair sing a harvest song: “Salmonberry, Cloudberry, Blueberry, Nagoonberry. Huckleberry, Soapberry, Strawberry, Crowberry.” Grandma teaches the girl that “we speak to the land…as the land speaks to us,” and “we sing too, so the land knows we are grateful.” As they gather berries in the misty rain, they listen to the sounds of insect wings, inhale the sweet scent of cedar, and feel the soft moss on tree branches. Back at home, “the kitchen glows like a summer sky” as the girl, her grandmother, her father, and her younger sister make syrup, marmalade, jelly, jam, pie, and scones to share. When winter comes, the forest is described as “dreaming, waiting for berry song.” Seasons change, marking the passage of time and leading to a bittersweet, full-circle ending. This beautifully written story by Caldecott medalist/debut author Goade features breathtaking, atmospheric artwork inspired by the wild landscape of her hometown, Sheet’ká, Alaska, and incorporates rich symbolism and imagery from Tlingit culture. A closing author’s note elucidates sacred Tlingit principles mentioned in the story, and dazzling endpapers identify different berry varieties. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A touching story of familial love and of respect and gratitude for the bounty of the land. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: June 14, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-316-49417-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Jan. 24, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2022
A colorful story for kids who approach everything with gusto.
In his debut picture book, Swiss chef Humm draws on aspects of his own childhood in a story to help kids dream bigger.
Daniel, a blond-haired boy with pale skin, is told to draw his dream house for class, so he goes all out, as he often does with things he loves. His classmates all stick to their one page, but Daniel’s illustration of his dream house covers the classroom walls. The furious teacher sends him to the principal, who then sends the boy home. “How can there be rules for dreams?” cries Daniel. Luckily, Mama Brigitte encourages him to dream big. Together, they cover an entire room in drawing paper—and Daniel has all the room he needs to approach the assignment his way. Humm’s story relates a single episode in a child’s life—the perfect length for a picture book. Kids who’ve felt singled out for their enthusiasm will see themselves in a positive light. The author’s gratitude for his supportive mother, also named Brigitte, is noted in the dedication and is clear in the tale itself, which offers a great representation of a positive adult influence. Pedott’s full-color illustrations, mostly two-page spreads, effectively reflect the big-picture message. The last pages even nod to the author’s real-life restaurant profession.
A colorful story for kids who approach everything with gusto.Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
ISBN: 9798988567028
Page Count: 44
Publisher: Hightree Publishing
Review Posted Online: Oct. 8, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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