bookshelf

CATNIP MOUSE

Name: CATNIP MOUSE
Author: A.J. Smith
ISBN: 9781525313530

by A.J. Smith ; illustrated by A.J. Smith ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 7, 2025

Goofy adventures in wordplay and conflict resolution.

bookshelf

Disaster ensues when a self-sufficient introvert confronts an exuberant pal.

Vera, a plum-shaped pale blue cat, happily plays alone with blocks, a book, and a beloved catnip mouse. But trouble’s looming. Gipp the dog barges into Vera’s space, flourishing a magic wand and inadvertently destroying Vera’s toy. Vera’s distraught, but Gipp promises to bring back the catnip mouse with the power of magic. The pooch’s desperate spells produce a “ketchup joust,” a “cattle blouse,” a “fat-lipped grouse,” a “massive louse,” and a random, unidentified object that appears to be a fishing bobber, but not the longed-for mouse. Gipp apologizes, but even with Vera’s patient coaching (“catnip mouse, catnip mouse!”), comes up with more ridiculous, far-fetched phrases further and further from the rhyme. Understandably, Vera finally gives way to rage and breaks the wand. Gloom grips Gipp, but after a heart-to-heart (“I just wanted to play with you,” “I like playing with you, too. But I was already doing my own thing”), the two make amends, turn a new stick into a wand, and together generate more nonsense phrases. Youngsters whose favorite toys have been demolished may not be as quick to forgive as Vera. Still, the over-the-top rhymes will provoke giggles galore. Cartoon-style illustrations in blue and brownish-orange will help developing readers through brief text with some unusual typefaces.

Goofy adventures in wordplay and conflict resolution. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Oct. 7, 2025

ISBN: 9781525313530

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Kids Can

Review Posted Online: Dec. 26, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
GREETINGS, FLOOF!
by C.J. Hong ; illustrated by A.J. Smith

- BOOK REVIEW
EVEN MONSTERS...
by A.J. Smith ; illustrated by A.J. Smith

bookshelf

THE LITTLE GHOST WHO WAS A QUILT

From the Little Ghost Quilt Book series

by Riel Nason ; illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2020

Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available.

bookshelf

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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S PARANORMAL & SUPERNATURAL | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
THE LITTLE GHOST QUILT'S WINTER SURPRISE
by Riel Nason ; illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler

bookshelf

THE PUMPKIN THIEF

From the Leaf Thief series

by Alice Hemming ; illustrated by Nicola Slater ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 28, 2026

More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones.

bookshelf

Not even the arrival of autumn can cool down this impetuous squirrel.

Although Squirrel is skeptical about Bird’s vegetable patch (“Nothing is HAPPENING!”), Bird does produce five (count them) lovely pumpkins. Squirrel picks out a favorite: “The enormous orange one.” Bird hints that Squirrel might want to help out; Squirrel sets out to fetch some work gloves and returns to find only four pumpkins. The frequently distracted Squirrel notices more gourds disappearing and leaps to the conclusion that a thief is near. And where’s Bird?! Has Squirrel’s pal also been taken? Diligently detecting, Squirrel finds clues—peck marks, footprints, and more—and produces a sketch of the suspect. As readers will guess, each clue turns out to point to one of Squirrel and Bird’s friends. Turns out Bird was delivering pumpkins to their pals while saving the big one to give to “my very best friend,” Squirrel. But why does Squirrel haul it up a tree? “So the Pumpkin Thief can’t find it, of course!” A page of pumpkin facts provides the learning component common to all titles in this series. Once more, readers will enjoy the pleasure of prediction and repetition, Squirrel’s silly persistence, Bird’s generosity, and the vibrant color illustrations, balancing orange with green.

More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones. (Picture book. 4-8)