A pleasant tale about approaching tasks with a problem-solving mindset.
Davis’ charming picture book aims to teach children how errors can educate them.
Jake the Ape awakens with a positive attitude, ready to start his day, but as he passes a mirror, he notices that his shirt isn’t buttoned correctly. He fixes it, but other things go wrong over the course of the day: He scoops too much jam on a knife, which falls onto the kitchen table; while playing, he throws a ball too hard and then too softly; and he incorrectly adds numbers in front of the class, among other things. But, each time, Jake thinks positively and does something to change the outcome. Later, he tells his parents about his day. His father says: “I’m glad you made mistakes today….Because that’s how we learn!” Young readers will relate to the book’s message, which is straightforward without being preachy; when Jake does homework with his mother, for instance, the narration notes, “It was hard at first, but Jake kept trying and asked questions when he didn’t understand.” Children will understand and appreciate that Jake isn’t perfect, and they may, like him, find that pausing and examining one’s actions is helpful. Webb’s illustrations are winsome, and children will enjoy finding a small snail on every page that features Jake the Ape.
A pleasant tale about approaching tasks with a problem-solving mindset.Pub Date: June 24, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-73630-987-2
Page Count: 34
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Continuing to find inspiration in the work of Virginia Lee Burton, Munro Leaf and other illustrators of the past, Long (The Little Engine That Could, 2005) offers an aw-shucks friendship tale that features a small but hardworking tractor (“putt puff puttedy chuff”) with a Little Toot–style face and a big-eared young descendant of Ferdinand the bull who gets stuck in deep, gooey mud. After the big new yellow tractor, crowds of overalls-clad locals and a red fire engine all fail to pull her out, the little tractor (who had been left behind the barn to rust after the arrival of the new tractor) comes putt-puff-puttedy-chuff-ing down the hill to entice his terrified bovine buddy successfully back to dry ground. Short on internal logic but long on creamy scenes of calf and tractor either gamboling energetically with a gaggle of McCloskey-like geese through neutral-toned fields or resting peacefully in the shade of a gnarled tree (apple, not cork), the episode will certainly draw nostalgic adults. Considering the author’s track record and influences, it may find a welcome from younger audiences too. (Picture book. 5-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-399-25248-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2009
SEEN & HEARD
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
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