A gently delivered, visually appealing introduction to the concept of differing perspectives for kids.
A little girl is puzzled by her friend’s view of the colors that make up a rainbow.
In this first installment of a picture-book series for preschoolers and early elementary students, the title character is confused by her friend Layla’s assertion that pink is not a color of the rainbow. After all, her mother has assured her that rainbows “are a range of light” and colors, so how could Layla dismiss pink from the mix? Livy Lu’s mother’s response, in rhyming text, underscores the lesson in this thoughtful tale: “Layla said what she believes is true. / Sometimes it just depends on your view.” Layla may have had in mind, the mother suggests, a drawing of a seven-color rainbow. But Livy Lu envisioned a rainbow as it appears in nature, with all the “shades in between,” including pink. Lacqua offers other child-savvy examples of differing perspectives. Livy Lu remembers seeing a green chameleon at the zoo, but its changing camouflage convinced her schoolmate that it was blue. Watching clouds go by, the protagonist sees one shaped like a mouse; it looks like a house to her mother. The author’s simple, clear message for children—be curious, open-minded, and kind about “things we thought we knew. / Because you might just see / another point of view”—is charmingly complemented by Svobodova’s illustrations, which feature a diverse cast, richly saturated colors, and downright adorable details.
A gently delivered, visually appealing introduction to the concept of differing perspectives for kids.Pub Date: Jan. 25, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-578-94962-8
Page Count: 34
Publisher: Elivate
Review Posted Online: Nov. 12, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones.
Not even the arrival of autumn can cool down this impetuous squirrel.
Although Squirrel is skeptical about Bird’s vegetable patch (“Nothing is HAPPENING!”), Bird does produce five (count them) lovely pumpkins. Squirrel picks out a favorite: “The enormous orange one.” Bird hints that Squirrel might want to help out; Squirrel sets out to fetch some work gloves and returns to find only four pumpkins. The frequently distracted Squirrel notices more gourds disappearing and leaps to the conclusion that a thief is near. And where’s Bird?! Has Squirrel’s pal also been taken? Diligently detecting, Squirrel finds clues—peck marks, footprints, and more—and produces a sketch of the suspect. As readers will guess, each clue turns out to point to one of Squirrel and Bird’s friends. Turns out Bird was delivering pumpkins to their pals while saving the big one to give to “my very best friend,” Squirrel. But why does Squirrel haul it up a tree? “So the Pumpkin Thief can’t find it, of course!” A page of pumpkin facts provides the learning component common to all titles in this series. Once more, readers will enjoy the pleasure of prediction and repetition, Squirrel’s silly persistence, Bird’s generosity, and the vibrant color illustrations, balancing orange with green.
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 28, 2026
ISBN: 9781464268076
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
A bit predictable but pleasantly illustrated.
Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault’s classic alphabet book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (1989) gets the Halloween treatment.
Chung follows the original formula to the letter. In alphabetical order, each letter climbs to the top of a tree. They are knocked back to the ground in a jumble before climbing up in sequence again. In homage to the spooky holiday theme, they scale a “creaky old tree,” and a ghostly jump scare causes the pileup. The chunky, colorful art is instantly recognizable. The charmingly costumed letters (“H swings a tail. / I wears a patch. J and K don / bows that don’t match”) are set against a dark backdrop, framed by pages with orange or purple borders. The spreads feature spiderwebs and jack-o’-lanterns. The familiar rhyme cadence is marred by the occasional clunky or awkward phrase; in particular, the adapted refrain of “Chicka chicka tricka treat” offers tongue-twisting fun, but it’s repeatedly followed by the disappointing half-rhyme “Everybody sneaka sneak.” Even this odd construction feels shoehorned into place, since “sneaking” makes little sense when every character in the book is climbing together. The final line of the book ends on a more satisfying note, with “Everybody—time to eat!”
A bit predictable but pleasantly illustrated. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: July 15, 2025
ISBN: 9781665954785
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
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