A quiet, contemplative book for bedtime.
When a favorite toy goes missing, what's a little boy to do?
“Every night at half past seven,” Michael and his soft stuffed toy Monkey Moon go "hippity-hop" up the stairs to bed. But one night, Michael can't find Monkey Moon in any of his favorite places—not “hiding under the sofa” or “tucked behind a chair” or “playing in the toy box.” Michael decides that Monkey Moon must have gone to the park. So, even though it's dark and rather cold, Michael decides to go find him. Of course, Dad comes along. The streets are quiet, and a brisk wind blows. The park is empty at this hour, and leaves “scuff around their feet” as they walk, and a white owl hoots on a high branch. Michael searches through the trees, a sandbox, an old wooden bench, and the sunken garden, calling out for Monkey Moon all the while. Nothing. Then, amazingly, Michael kicks at a bush and what should he see in a tangle of leaves and branches on the ground but his best friend. After a long hug, Michael puts Monkey Moon on his shoulder, and the trio hippity-hops home. Pulford's story seems like an excuse for Wilkinson's acrylic illustrations, which capture night's beauty with elegance and depth. The measured prose is a good match, but the book is far more mood piece than plot.
A quiet, contemplative book for bedtime. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Nov. 10, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6777-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: July 21, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A fresh take on an enduring theme.
When Irie tells her momma she hates her big poofy hair, her momma explains that everything about Irie was perfectly custom made.
Irie wants her hair to swing and bounce like the “pretty hair” that “everyone else” has. But Momma tells her that she didn’t make Irie to be like everyone else. “I made you to be you.” Momma explains that when she was expecting Irie, she talked to God and made special requests. Out of all the skin tones in the world, Momma chose her favorite for Irie. The same for her hair type, her sparkling eyes, her kissable nose, and her bright smile. Momma also chose a good heart for Irie, and when she was born, she was perfect, and as she grew, she was kind. When Momma tells her “you are all of my favorite things,” Irie runs to the mirror and sees herself with new eyes: a “most perfect me.” This sweet, imaginative tale highlights the importance of parental love in boosting children’s self-esteem and will be a touching read-aloud for families who have struggled with issues of fitting in. The story is a challenging one to illustrate; the full-color digital art is warm with soft shades of natural-looking color but struggles to create engaging scenes to accompany Momma’s explanation of her conversation with God. The multiple spreads showing Irie and Momma flying through the atmosphere among clouds, stars, and hearts become a bit monotonous and lack depth of expression. Characters are Black. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A fresh take on an enduring theme. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 3, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-42694-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
Better books about loving fathers and the things they do for their children abound.
I Love Mom (2014) gets its companion title from Walsh and Abbot.
Unfortunately, it suffers from problems similar to the ones that sank the first book. This time portraying dad and his child as brightly colored dinosaurs with big heads and goofy grins, the book enumerates all the ways that no one is as good as dad. “Nobody’s kisses are so bristly. / Nobody’s stubble so double-itchy.” Odd things to celebrate, particularly in a reptile, but this dad also “makes breakfast into a festival,” rides bikes with his kiddo, plays with board games and toys when it’s raining, and makes sure his child’s teeth are brushed. The text does not rhyme, which makes the wording seem especially strange and difficult for young readers to parse: “Who else gives me a feeling of being as tall as the ceiling? Better go outside where… / nobody’s shoulders could be higher, so near the sky for such a lively ride // … // Cooking with Dad’s a laugh, a blast, not half a spoonful wasted.” Abbot manages to show lots of emotion from just simple dots and lines for eyes and mouths, and it’s clear just how much this child looks up to Dad.
Better books about loving fathers and the things they do for their children abound. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 12, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-6266-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: March 15, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2016
© 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.
