The object of McCoy’s barbed humor is a bit moldy by this date, but his wiry hero and addled heroine make this worth one last go-round. Penny Lee is a TV junkie of the worst sort. Her dog, Mr. Barkley, on the other hand, would like to see the set implode. So when the day comes that the TV stops working, Mr. Barkley suggests that they bring it to the repair shop. Of course, he’s got other plans for Penny Lee—like, a visit to the real world and its many pleasures. On the way to the repair shop, they jump rope (using the cord of the TV), play hide-and-seek, fly a kite, and go for a swim in the pond. Penny Lee is conscious of flutters that tell her she is missing some prime TV—any TV, that is—but less so as the day progresses. And by nightfall, when she flops into bed, having missed the repair shop’s business hours, she is looking forward to the trip tomorrow. Same as it ever was—any story that will alert kids to the insidious nature of TV is worth a try (though there is a weird little plug at the end in which Mr. Barkley finds he just has to watch a late movie and replaces the batteries for the remote). In this case it is Mr. Barkley that makes it worthy, his eyes asquint and brimming with deception, craftily leading Penny Lee from a life of eyestrain and brain-washing. But it is McCoy’s art that really pushes this to the top. Cartoon figures of big noses, big ears, goofy shapes perfectly capture the foolishness. In one particularly funny scene, Mr. Barkley and Penny Lee stare at the cloud shapes and what do they see but bones and TV sets. Put it on your schedule—it could be good for a few minutes of prime-time reading. (Picture book. 4-7)
Pub Date: April 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-7868-0661-3
Page Count: 38
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2002
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available.
A ghost learns to appreciate his differences.
The little ghost protagonist of this title is unusual. He’s a quilt, not a lightweight sheet like his parents and friends. He dislikes being different despite his mom’s reassurance that his ancestors also had unconventional appearances. Halloween makes the little ghost happy, though. He decides to watch trick-or-treaters by draping over a porch chair—but lands on a porch rail instead. A mom accompanying her daughter picks him up, wraps him around her chilly daughter, and brings him home with them! The family likes his looks and comforting warmth, and the little ghost immediately feels better about himself. As soon as he’s able to, he flies out through the chimney and muses happily that this adventure happened only due to his being a quilt. This odd but gently told story conveys the importance of self-respect and acceptance of one’s uniqueness. The delivery of this positive message has something of a heavy-handed feel and is rushed besides. It also isn’t entirely logical: The protagonist could have been a different type of covering; a blanket, for instance, might have enjoyed an identical experience. The soft, pleasing illustrations’ palette of tans, grays, white, black, some touches of color, and, occasionally, white text against black backgrounds suggest isolation, such as the ghost feels about himself. Most humans, including the trick-or-treating mom and daughter, have beige skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 66.2% of actual size.)
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7352-6447-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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