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
Fun times, fond friends, and a festive farmyard setting—little ones will be charmed.
Beep! Beep! Beep! Toad and Little Blue Truck get ready for a hayride.
After the titular vehicle is loaded with hay, Toad is nowhere to be found. “Beep! Beep! Beep! Where are you, Toad?” asks Little Blue Truck. All the barnyard animals look for him. Sheep searches the meadow. Goose and Duck check the pond. Others pitch in, too, but Toad seems to have disappeared…until Hen hears snoring coming from the pile of hay in the back of Little Blue Truck. Although the text’s scansion is imperfect in places (adults may want to pre-read to ensure a smooth read-aloud), the bouncy meter and rhyming text nevertheless capture the energy of the search and the farmyard community’s concern for Toad’s safety, making this a solid storytime choice. Eye-catching illustrations with rich, fully saturated colors balance the right level of detail while still highlighting the animal that is the focus of each verse. By introducing one farm animal at a time, Schertle also helps the youngest readers begin to identify barnyard animals by name and understand their unique farm homes. Traditional animal sounds are part of the text, and listeners will add them to their vocabulary. It all ends with the promised hayride, bringing the tale to a joyous ending.
Fun times, fond friends, and a festive farmyard setting—little ones will be charmed. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2026
ISBN: 9780063436121
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: July 20, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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