A stirring tale of courage and devotion, though bear mothers don’t get proper credit.
In Millar’s illustrated children’s book, a chosen bear cub must lead the fight against oppressive eagles.
In The Forest Kingdom, a magical land where two moons rise at night, bears have been subjugated to eagles for generations, though they once lived in peace. Aided by his soldiers and spies, the Eagle Warrior demands a heavy tribute of fish and berries from bears along with their forced labor as nest builders. One day, as Outspoken Bear is teaching his son, Child Cub, and another young bear named Kindred Cub how to fish, they’re bullied by the Captain and Lieutenant of Eagle Spies. Outspoken Bear mollifies them, but that night, at the Elder Council, he declares, “The tyranny of The Eagle must end!” Elder Bear takes the Council to the secret Elder Cave, whose walls record a prophecy that someday, a bear will restore peaceful freedom to The Forest Kingdom. The bears’ rebellion fails, however, and Outspoken Bear gives his life to protect the rest. With his mother, Child Cub flees to the Ancient Oaks, where he can grow up in safety—and perhaps fulfill his destiny if he follows his guiding stars. In his debut book, Millar provides fresh mythmaking on the theme of a destined hero who saves his people, with satisfying elements like a magical spear. The bear families here don’t reflect real life, however, where mothers alone raise and protect cubs (fathers can actually endanger them). The book provides a link for readers to download five songs, one for each chapter. Fox’s images convey mood well through rich, saturated colors, dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, dynamic composition, and expressive animal faces.
A stirring tale of courage and devotion, though bear mothers don’t get proper credit.Pub Date: Feb. 18, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-73402-140-0
Page Count: 132
Publisher: EvB Media
Review Posted Online: Feb. 23, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
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