An engaging fable about the magic of kindness.
In this retelling of a Swiss Italian folktale, two brothers learn a lesson in kindness.
Siblings Boris and Morris both have humps on their backs. Their personalities, however, could not be more different. Morris is kind, helpful, and loves nature. On the other hand, Boris “never had a kind word for anyone. He beat the cows and never gave them quite enough to eat.” With winter approaching, Morris decides to travel up a mountain to repair a hut the brothers own; Boris would rather avoid the work. In the forested highland, Morris encounters a large toad, beautiful toadstools, and delicious chestnuts for roasting. He treats the forest with respect and regards it with wonder. In return, the magical forest folk make the hump on Morris’ back disappear. Seeking the same miracle, Boris makes the same trip but treats the forest cruelly. This results, of course, in a curse instead of a blessing. Realizing the error of his ways, Boris journeys up the mountain again but with an improved attitude. Although Boris’ complete change of heart feels contrived, the morals in this Swiss import (translated by Martens) are important: Reverence for nature matters, and good character has its rewards. However, the removal of a spinal deformity as a consequence of good behavior sends a problematic message about disabled people. The book’s biggest appeal is its imaginative forest scenes, with detailed full-color and black-and-white illustrations bringing every sentient leaf and mushroom to life; tree trunks and flowers have faces, and branches intertwine in endless, often delicate, patterns. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An engaging fable about the magic of kindness. (Picture book. 7-10)Pub Date: May 3, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4480-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
A compromise tale any kid assigned a group project should understand.
In the same world as the Enchanted Pony Academy series, royal merchildren partner with magical seaponies in the elite Royal Mermaid Rescue Crew.
Princess Nixie’s excited for Selection Day, when she and her fellow Rescue Crew School classmates choose a partner from the Enchanted Seapony Academy. Nixie’s long awaited the day she’ll be a full member of the Rescue Crew, and though she doesn’t know which seapony’s the best match for her, she knows who isn’t: Rip, top of the seapony class but disliked for his rigid adherence to rules and preference for work over fun. When the ceremony comes, though, Nixie draws to pick last, leaving her with…Rip. Seeing his distress and confusion at his last-place selection, Nixie does her best to be positive about their partnership. She seeks common ground through shared adventure, but he’d rather study their rule book. Nixie’s nearly ready to refuse the match when she hears a distress call from her two best friends—stranded where they shouldn’t be—and so she rushes to rescue them. Luckily for her, Rip follows and the two work together—combining her flexible thinking-on-her-feet with the valuable information from his scholarship—gaining understanding and becoming a true team. This intelligent treatment of the emotional dynamic helps to mitigate the tendentiously sparkly worldbuilding and thin characterizations. Nixie appears with lavender hair and light skin on the cover; publishing simultaneously are three other titles in the series, each fronted by a different member of the diverse Royal Mermaid Rescue Crew: Cali Plays Fair, Cascadia Saves the Day, and Lana Swims North.
A compromise tale any kid assigned a group project should understand. (Fantasy. 7-10)Pub Date: March 26, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-338-26697-9
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Nov. 20, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2018
Rich in folklore, comedy, and color, a riotous and pleasurable treat.
The Korean siblings introduced in Where’s Halmoni? (2017) encounter a new conflict and some fantastical familiar faces.
Jin is alarmed by the mess in the kitchen, and her younger brother, Joon, is nowhere to be found. Her grandmother Halmoni uses magic to investigate and, using her magical door handles, sends Jin through a window to the world of the first book to deliver rice cakes to Halmoni’s friend Jo-harabuji. Halmoni mentions Joon will probably be waiting there for Jin. Jin, equipped with a door handle that will return her home, as well as some smarts from her previous foray into the magical land, sets out. Meanwhile Joon, who needs help repairing Halmoni’s beloved cooking pot, knows exactly where he’s going with his own door handle and reunites with his friend Tokki, a spunky rabbit. Hilarity ensues as characters from Korean folktales are portrayed with dynamic expressions amid a whimsical backdrop of colorful mountain ranges and roaring rivers. Joon and Tokki struggle to fix Halmoni’s pot while Jin looks for Joon, outfoxes a familiar trickster tiger, and delivers rice cakes. Kim deftly balances all of the characters and their evolving goals as the siblings inadvertently reunite spirit friends and bring Halmoni fortuitous cooking alternatives. Korean dialogue is interspersed throughout the panels of this graphic novel, with translations and guides to folktales following the story.
Rich in folklore, comedy, and color, a riotous and pleasurable treat. (Graphic fiction. 7-10)Pub Date: Oct. 10, 2023
ISBN: 9781632174154
Page Count: 120
Publisher: Little Bigfoot/Sasquatch
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
© 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.
