A warm tale sure to conjure up smiles.
A ghost seeks spooking territory.
“They say every ghost needs a place to haunt, and if you can’t find one, you’re not even a real ghost,” explains our narrator, who wears a little brown top hat and carries a matching briefcase. The protagonist floats down a city street bathed in dark purple tones, casting round-as-a-button eyes high and low. But the other phantoms are fiercely protective of their hard-won spots, from nearby houses to a mailbox to the sewer. Just when the protagonist is about to give up on finding a place to inhabit, a cheerful black bird points out a derelict little shed—a true fixer-upper. At last, the tale comes full circle, with the ghost—now a proud homeowner—deciding to embrace the spirit of generosity as another uncertain young spirit shows up, asking for a place to stay. Throughout the story, the narrator’s fears (“What if I’m not any good at haunting?”) will resonate with old and young alike. The scenes are reminiscent of the job or house hunt, but the ghosts’ jitters also mirror the emotions many kids experience on the first day of school. Mylie’s swirling, muted pastels feature visible strokes, with high contrast between the white of the ghosts and the black or purple backgrounds. While the color scheme sets an ominous tone, the smiling protagonist will reassure youngsters—as will Sterer’s gently determined text.
A warm tale sure to conjure up smiles. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: July 15, 2025
ISBN: 9781454960478
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: May 30, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance.
A boy with wings learns to be himself and inspires others like him to soar, too.
Norman, a “perfectly normal” boy, never dreamed he might grow wings. Afraid of what his parents might say, he hides his new wings under a big, stuffy coat. Although the coat hides his wings from the world, Norman no longer finds joy in bathtime, playing at the park, swimming, or birthday parties. With the gentle encouragement of his parents, who see his sadness, Norman finds the courage to come out of hiding and soar. Percival (The Magic Looking Glass, 2017, etc.) depicts Norman with light skin and dark hair. Black-and-white illustrations show his father with dark skin and hair and his mother as white. The contrast of black-and-white illustrations with splashes of bright color complements the story’s theme. While Norman tries to be “normal,” the world and people around him look black and gray, but his coat stands out in yellow. Birds pop from the page in pink, green, and blue, emphasizing the joy and beauty of flying free. The final spread, full of bright color and multiracial children in flight, sets the mood for Norman’s realization on the last page that there is “no such thing as perfectly normal,” but he can be “perfectly Norman.”
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: May 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68119-785-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.
A dog-loving child encourages a less-than-enthusiastic younger one to imagine they’re both canines.
From the first declaration—“I’d be a big dog! And you’d be a little one!”—readers know who’s calling the shots. Initially, the protagonists cavort off the page and through the neighborhood together, performing doggy capers such as tail wagging, stick carrying, and dirt digging. But by the time they encounter a multitude of like-minded creatures at the dog park, the disgruntled small pup is exhibiting out-and-out rebellion: “Being a dog is YOUR idea! Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!” The narrative wraps up with the younger child pretending to be a different animal entirely—cleverly foreshadowed through subtle details in the illustrations. Even the endpapers—lively silhouettes of dogs in the beginning and many different animals in closing—extend the theme to suggest the imaginative possibilities of pretend play. Cheerful, lightly hued colors fit the whimsical mood, while expressive body language allows the art to tell the story with a minimum of words. Ending on a surprising note, with a sweet compromise between the two main characters, the tale gives both kids the freedom to embrace their own preferences and styles—while still enjoying their game.
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9780316581721
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
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