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
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle...
Making things is difficult work. Readers will recognize the stages of this young heroine’s experience as she struggles to realize her vision.
First comes anticipation. The artist/engineer is spotted jauntily pulling a wagonload of junkyard treasures. Accompanied by her trusty canine companion, she begins drawing plans and building an assemblage. The narration has a breezy tone: “[S]he makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” The colorful caricatures and creations contrast with the digital black outlines on a white background that depict an urban neighborhood. Intermittent blue-gray panels break up the white expanses on selected pages showing sequential actions. When the first piece doesn’t turn out as desired, the protagonist tries again, hoping to achieve magnificence. A model of persistence, she tries many adjustments; the vocabulary alone offers constructive behaviors: she “tinkers,” “wrenches,” “fiddles,” “examines,” “stares” and “tweaks.” Such hard work, however, combines with disappointing results, eventually leading to frustration, anger and injury. Explosive emotions are followed by defeat, portrayed with a small font and scaled-down figures. When the dog, whose expressions have humorously mirrored his owner’s through each phase, retrieves his leash, the resulting stroll serves them well. A fresh perspective brings renewed enthusiasm and—spoiler alert—a most magnificent scooter sidecar for a loyal assistant.
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle characterization for maximum delight. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-55453-704-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
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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