A fine tourist’s introduction to Rio de Janeiro with eye-catching illustrations and likable characters, despite a few flaws.
A young boy’s family goes on another travel adventure in this series installment by author Godoy and illustrator Lenormand (Mori’s Family Adventures: Brazilian Culture Exchange, 2018, etc.).
The story starts with Mori and Valencia, two African-American children, wondering where their family will travel this year. Their parents soon announce that they’ll be going on a “dream vacation” to Rio de Janeiro. Grandma joins them on the trip and keeps the kids busy on the long flight. After they arrive, they all view the city’s skyscrapers from inside their taxicab. The family goes on to see all the highlights of Rio, including Copacabana Beach, the Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Tijuca Rainforest. Godoy and Lenormand cleverly work several city landmarks into the plot as Mori and Valencia chase a teddy bear stealing–monkey through the city on their last day; in this way, they very naturally introduce a number of iconic locations. Lenormand’s cartoonish illustrations show the personalities of the family members and offer realistic representations of Rio landmarks. Mori and Valencia are charming main characters, and their family members are equally enjoyable. However, Godoy’s text is uneven. At one point, the narration says that the kids will be going to Rio de Janeiro “in a few days,” but then Dad immediately says that they’re leaving “in the morning.” There are also odd tense shifts, and sometimes the dialogue feels stilted and unrealistic. However, the brightly colored illustrations of Rio, which is known for its samba parade costumes and natural beauty, and the natural charm of Mori and Valencia overcome these flaws. The story is based on the adventures of the author and her family, and she includes photos of the real-life trip at the end of the book.
A fine tourist’s introduction to Rio de Janeiro with eye-catching illustrations and likable characters, despite a few flaws.Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-9994734-7-4
Page Count: -
Publisher: Black Sands Entertainment
Review Posted Online: Sept. 10, 2019
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.
A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.
Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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