Despite the regrettably trendy-sounding title, Whybrow’s latest release is a sweetly wholesome tale. Given the moniker “Little Baby Not-Sure” by her father, the young rabbit Bella struggles with her propensity to worry. Overshadowed by her exuberant siblings, Bella takes a cautious approach to new experiences. When her father suggests an ice-skating outing, Bella is consumed by anxiety. Whybrow exhibits a keen understanding of a little one’s misgivings, as Bella nervously wonders what could go wrong. Bella’s father wisely suggests a series of confidence-building, play-centered activities to allay Bella’s concerns. Reeve’s illustrations, rendered in a medley of muted hues and softly blurred lines, further convey the winsome tenderness of the tale. Whybrow’s adept and compassionate approach to resolving Bella’s situation is bound to encourage fellow kindred spirits. Reluctant readers will take heart in Bella’s ultimate triumph. (Picture book. 3-8)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8109-9416-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2007
Paws up for this personable pooch.
In renowned Chilean American author Allende’s picture-book debut, a benevolent dog teaches a young boy a new trick.
Perla, a small, scraggly shelter dog wearing a pearl necklace, possesses two so-called superpowers: the ability to “make anybody love me” and, even more impressive, given the dog’s tiny stature, an enormous roar. The Rico family arrives at the animal shelter intending to adopt a formidable guard dog, but Perla manages to impress them with that immense roar and an assist from bespectacled young Nico Rico, whose insistence seals the deal. Perla proves vital to the Rico family—the canine even helps the family’s lazy house cat, Lucy, banish mice. If only Perla could help Nico with his bullying woes at school! After Perla confronts a ferocious, dragonlike dog at the park one day, Nico asks the mighty mutt to “teach him the lion roar.” Perla obliges—with hilarious results. Allende has crafted a winsome portrait of a miniature, magical dog whose droll commentary makes for a fab read-aloud, often elevating the central theme—finding the courage to stand up to one’s bullies—above tepid familiarity. Rodríguez’s vivid watercolor-and-ink artwork focuses on dynamic body movements and close-ups amid lush backdrops, pulling readers along in the fun from page to page. Nico and his dad have light tan skin, and his mom and teen sister read white.
Paws up for this personable pooch. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: June 4, 2024
ISBN: 9780593623596
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: March 23, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
Sure to assuage the fears of all astronauts bound for similar missions.
A genius way to ease kids into the new adventure that is kindergarten.
In an imaginative ruse that’s maintained through the whole book, a young astronaut prepares for his mission to Planet Kindergarten. On liftoff day (a space shuttle–themed calendar counts down the days; a stopwatch, the minutes), the small family boards their rocket ship (depicted in the illustrations as the family car), and “the boosters fire.” They orbit base camp while looking for a docking place. “I am assigned to my commander, capsule, and crewmates.” Though he’s afraid, he stands tall and is brave (not just once, either—the escape hatch beckons, but NASA’s saying gets him through: “FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION”). Parents will certainly chuckle along with this one, but kindergarten teachers’ stomach muscles will ache: “[G]ravity works differently here. We have to try hard to stay in our seats. And our hands go up a lot.” Prigmore’s digital illustrations are the perfect complement to the tongue-in-cheek text. Bold colors, sharp lines and a retro-space style play up the theme. The intrepid explorer’s crewmates are a motley assortment of “aliens”—among them are a kid in a hoodie with the laces pulled so tight that only a nose and mouth are visible; a plump kid with a bluish cast to his skin; and a pinkish girl with a toothpick-thin neck and huge bug eyes.
Sure to assuage the fears of all astronauts bound for similar missions. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: May 20, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4521-1893-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014
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