Surrealism for the very young.
A story about an unusual family and an unusual friendship.
Memo and his grandmother live alone “in a tiny cottage” with few other buildings visible in the distance. Memo is a cheerful, red-sweatered child, and his grandmother, round with white hair in an updo, is similarly chipper but slowing down in her old age; both are light-skinned. Memo is occasionally lonely given that he never seems to interact with anyone besides his easily tired and nearsighted grandma, but when a tiny orange kitten shows up one rainy night, Memo’s loneliness disappears. Unfortunately, the kitten turns out to be a lion (kidnapped by smugglers), and Memo knows that the only choice he has is to find a set of wings that enable the lion to fly home—one of his grandfather’s old inventions—and say goodbye to his sole nongeriatric companion. Luckily, the lion becomes…an optometrist? And mails Memo a pair of glasses, which allow his grandmother to see better and somehow solve some of the other problems that made Memo feel lonely. Accompanied by quirky artwork, a mix of vignettes and full-page spreads, this Turkish import relies on silliness rather than any semblance of sense; it will make some kids laugh and others ask “Why?” (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Surrealism for the very young. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2023
ISBN: 9781662512926
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids
Review Posted Online: June 8, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2023
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
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