ICE CREAM MONSTERS

Name: ICE CREAM MONSTERS
Author: Erik X. Raj

by Erik X. Raj & illustrated by SPORG Studio ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2012

Skip the trip to this ice-cream planet, which amply demonstrates that good intentions don't necessarily lead to good art.

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One-eyed ice-cream-cone monsters play together on planet Amazing Yummy in this didactic storybook app.

Each page in this app features two ice-cream monsters with different attributes playing together, accompanied by a repetitive explanation: “Some ice cream monsters have cherries and nuts on top of them and some ice cream monsters don’t. Even though these two ice cream monsters are different from one another, they still love to play together.” The opening music is mediocre, the distasteful computer-generated cyclopean cartoon characters frolic about against unappealing forest backgrounds, and the sound effects of kids’ laughter are maniacal and forced. The narration is just awful, with a singsong-y intonation that is as condescending and preachy as the text itself. There is single-page navigation, and the simple interactions mostly focus on changing superficial features of the cones.

Skip the trip to this ice-cream planet, which amply demonstrates that good intentions don't necessarily lead to good art. (iPad storybook app. 3-6)

Pub Date: May 31, 2012

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Erik X. Raj

Review Posted Online: July 31, 2012

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2012

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.

Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: March 29, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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HOW TO CATCH A MAMASAURUS

From the How To Catch… series

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024

A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.

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Another creature is on the loose.

The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.