Nostalgic Nancy Drew fans will likely deem this experimental picture book a failed homage, and it will certainly disappoint...
Pam, Bess, and Bess’ younger sister, Sue, visit a museum after hours for a celebration of the “publication of the first of the Nancy Drew mystery books” in this picture book based on a story originally published in 1980 in the New Yorker.
Although The Mystery of the Old Clock was originally published in 1930, Cortés does not set the story during the Depression: The girls—all three are black—wear modern casual clothing, and one appears to be holding a smartphone. When Pam climbs the stairs for a better vantage point from which to peer at the guests, she points out something shocking. Pam and Bess are aghast at whatever it is, but little sister Sue (and readers) remains clueless. Frustratingly, the pictures depict only their changing expressions over pages and pages and not what they actually see—though the last page might offer a visual hint. The stilted vocabulary seems to date back to Carolyn Keene’s characters of that era: “querulous,” “milling about,” “bilious,” and “hypers” (an exclamation), all incongruous with the characters’ ages. Worse, one textual descriptor of Bess clashes with her depiction as a girl with dark brown skin: “her face turning first a ghostly white, then a vivid red.” For white Bess Marvin, friend of Nancy Drew, this is possible, but blushing would not result in such a color change in a character with skin this dark. The color palette of the illustrations seems as dated as the museum—another reason this book will likely fail to appeal to young readers.
Nostalgic Nancy Drew fans will likely deem this experimental picture book a failed homage, and it will certainly disappoint young sleuths in search of a real mystery. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: June 4, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-61775-716-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Black Sheep/Akashic
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2019
No need to wonder what-l to read next. Grab this axo-lent charmer!
Two siblings’ antics add up to a whole lot of cuteness.
Plum-colored Axolotl doesn’t do things by halves. You might say she goes full throttle, living life “to the max-a-lotl,” whether she’s skateboarding or playing her “sax-a-lotl while doing jumping jacks-a-lotl.” Artsy, lemon yellow younger brother Axolittle is a bit more subdued; he enjoys studying “facts a little," “dances, sings, and acts a little," and “loves to just relax a little.” The sibs generally get along until one day, while pretending she’s a duck, Axolotl accidentally ruins Axolittle’s painting; he squirts paint on her in retaliation. Axolotl’s mad-l; Axolittle’s sad-l. The next step? Call in Axo-Dad-l! That wise intercessor calms his weepy kids down, helping them reach an accord “in the axo-middle.” The contrite kids apologize and are soon reading, snacking, and cuddling “to the max-a-lotl.” This hilarious tale, expressed via frisky rhymes that read and scan well, is chock-full of nimble wordplay. Adults sharing this winner should encourage children to take inspiration from the text and make up their own similarly nonsensical (yet somehow logical) terms. Kids may also wish to learn about real axolotls (aquatic, gilled salamanders). The illustrations, incorporating some very creative typography, zing with color and energy and feature protagonists brimming with personality.
No need to wonder what-l to read next. Grab this axo-lent charmer! (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: July 8, 2025
ISBN: 9781464237904
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: April 19, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
Supportive messages all children need to hear.
The world is lucky you’re here.
In gentle verse, this book delivers a quiet yet powerfully uplifting message: You’re special; you’re wonderful; you’re endowed with remarkable talents. You’re uniquely, unmistakably, unequivocally YOU, so don’t be afraid to go out and conquer the world. Gifts you don’t know about yet are ready to blossom; possibilities you haven’t begun to dream about are looming; roads you haven’t yet begun to explore lie before you! This is heady, empowering stuff. The encouraging proposals herein will boost children’s esteem when their spirits are flagging. Richmond reminds readers that the world’s waiting for them—to voice their ideas and opinions, to be the very best versions of themselves, and to do good for others. Some ideas may be a bit too lofty for children; adults might have to help explain things occasionally. Generally, though, kids should get the point that the world awaits them, that they’re special, and that they should aim to be the best they can be. The book will also make a fine gift for baby showers and new parents. Appealing illustrations, created with graphite pencil and digital methods, have an idyllic sweetness, depicting racially diverse characters putting on a play, spending time in nature, and more. Typefaces occasionally vary to highlight particular concepts.
Supportive messages all children need to hear. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2024
ISBN: 9781728291529
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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