A straightforward adaptation with appealing illustrations but lacking in emotional resonance.
Ellinas introduces young readers to the characters and key plot points of a beloved Shakespearean comedy.
Feste the Fool tells the story of Viola and her twin brother, Sebastian, who are separated after a shipwreck. To stay safe, Viola disguises herself as a man called Cesario. She’s hired by Duke Orsino to convey his passionate messages to the grieving Countess Olivia. Cesario falls in love with Orsino, while Olivia falls for Cesario. Secondary characters and plotlines all get their due, including Sir Toby and Maria’s plot against Malvolio. As in the play, Sebastian eventually returns, all confusions are resolved, Viola drops her Cesario persona, and nearly everyone pairs off happily. Watercolor illustrations depict period-appropriate costumes and settings, with characters theatrically facing readers. Most characters have pale or tan skin; Olivia has brown skin and tight curls, and Orsino is tan with wavy black hair. Feste’s first-person narration is prescriptive, leaving little room for readers’ own interpretations, and while young people will get a firm sense of the story, they may not be all that engaged. Though the pervasive theme of fools and foolery is an obvious one, framing anyone who “did not see through Cesario’s disguise” as foolish is a missed opportunity for a queerer reading of the Orsino/Cesario/Olivia love triangle.
A straightforward adaptation with appealing illustrations but lacking in emotional resonance. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Aug. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781536231502
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2024
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn.
A young owl achieves his grand ambition.
Owl, an adorably earnest and gallant little owlet, dreams of being a knight. He imagines himself defeating dragons and winning favor far and wide through his brave exploits. When a record number of knights go missing, Owl applies to Knight School and is surprisingly accepted. He is much smaller than the other knights-in-training, struggles to wield weapons, and has “a habit of nodding off during the day.” Nevertheless, he graduates and is assigned to the Knight Night Watch. While patrolling the castle walls one night, a hungry dragon shows up and Owl must use his wits to avoid meeting a terrible end. The result is both humorous and heartwarming, offering an affirmation of courage and clear thinking no matter one’s size…and demonstrating the power of a midnight snack. The story never directly addresses the question of the missing knights, but it is hinted that they became the dragon’s fodder, leaving readers to question Owl’s decision to befriend the beast. Humor is supplied by the characters’ facial expressions and accented by the fact that Owl is the only animal in his order of big, burly human knights. Denise’s accomplished digital illustrations—many of which are full bleeds—often use a warm sepia palette that evokes a feeling of antiquity, and some spreads feature a pleasing play of chiaroscuro that creates suspense and drama.
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-316-31062-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 15, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2022
A cheery story that “wool” likely evoke some smiles.
A “baa”-nd of pirates gets the wool pulled over their eyes.
After a treasure-hunting foray, Captain Hoof and his crew of fleecy sheep are homeward bound with a glittery bounty—the lost Golden Shears, which once belonged to the infamous Woolly Jones. Suddenly, huge waves engulf and smash their ship. They’re sheepwrecked and stranded on Foggy Island, home to none other than Woolly Jones. After nearly a month of failed attempts to get off the island, Captain Hoof decides to return the shears to their rightful owner. Trekking across the island through fog as thick and impenetrable as wool, captain and crew eventually bump into their nemesis, who snatches the shears from the captain’s hooves. Expecting dire consequences, everyone starts to flee, but things turn out wool, er, well. In a 90-degree book turn, Woolly is depicted using the shears to give himself a much-needed “woolcut.” He’s grateful for the shears—and for the company after a long, lonely spell. Captain Hoof and crew are delighted at this outcome. This is a cute tale, though the plot is a bit thin; the numerous, amusing sheep puns will appeal more to grown-ups than kids. But the digital illustrations are comical and dynamic, and the all-ovine protagonists are lively and expressive. The book contains lots of typographical creativity, including some onomatopoeic words, incorporated into the artwork, and maps in the endpapers include islands bearing funny, aptly punny names.
A cheery story that “wool” likely evoke some smiles. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: July 9, 2024
ISBN: 9780593569665
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: April 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2024
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