by James E. Ransome & illustrated by James E. Ransome ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2011
A usually accomplished illustrator tries for extreme simplicity and takes a header with this confused and confusing episode. Having ridden his new bike “up / and down / and around” (and then, redundantly, “down the hill, / around the curve, / and back up”), Tom stops at friend Sam’s house to show it off. When he turns back from knocking at the door, his bike is gone. Four pages of searching later he suddenly spots Sam zooming around the adjacent yard (an area that was empty in a previous scene), gets an apology and happily shares bike and helmet with his buddy until a couple—presumably Sam’s parents, though they look only a year or so older—wheel in another bicycle and helmet. Along with wondering who those two newcomers are, child readers are likely to doubt that Tom’s stubby legs can reach the pedals in some scenes (in others he looks taller) and also how Sam could make a clean getaway with the bike when Tom is standing, in the picture, fewer than 10 feet away. The very brief text and simply drawn figures suspended in generous quantities of white space give this a superficially appealing look, but Ander’s Me and My Bike (2008) or Cari Best’s Sally Jean the Bicycle Queen, illustrated by Christine Davenier (2006), convey a fledgling bicyclist’s joy more effectively and coherently. (Picture book. 6-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2226-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Jan. 8, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2011
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by Lindsay Bonilla ; illustrated by Mark Hoffmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 14, 2023
Amusing but a little off tempo.
It’s important to hit all the right notes.
A tan-skinned musical composer with puffy black hair is busy at work on his next musical masterpiece when Half Note, a music symbol denoting two beats, feels unappreciated. Half Note is jealous of the more commonly used Quarter Note (one beat) and Eighth Note. Although the other musical symbols attempt to calm and comfort Half Note, she decides to run away. The next day, Composer needs Half Note and panics when he realizes that she’s gone. The other notes and musical symbols try to find her, but it’s only when they try to play her favorite song, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” without her—with terrible results—that she comes running back. The story’s humor—which is largely based on “dad joke” puns—is completely dependent on readers’ musical knowledge. The artwork, a mix of acrylic and colored pencil, attempts to add some allegrezza to the piece, and while it’s not unsuccessful, it’s facing an uphill battle. Music teachers and musically minded caregivers may find some value in this story, but it will likely be too specialized for general readers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Amusing but a little off tempo. (glossary) (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: March 14, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-64567-631-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Page Street
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2023
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by David Goodner ; illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 27, 2020
A story of friendship that is both lively and lovely
Two friends embark upon a high-seas adventure.
Kondo, a large lemon-colored creature with wide round eyes, spends his day on his island home with his best friend, tangerine-hued Kezumi. Together, they frolic on their idyllic isle picking berries (tall Kondo nabs the higher fruit while Kezumi helps to retrieve the lower) while surrounded by tiny “flitter-birds” and round “fluffle-bunnies.” One day, Kezumi finds a map in a bottle that declares “WE ARE NOT ALONE.” Inspired by visions of a larger world, Kondo and Kezumi fashion a boat from a bathtub and set sail. The pair visits fantastical islands—deliciously cheese-laden Dairy Isle, the fiery and fearsome Fireskull Island—until they eventually settle upon the titular Giant Island, where they meet Albert, a gigantic gray talking mountain who is—obviously—unable to leave. Enthralled by his new friends, Albert wants them to stay forever. After Albert makes a fraught decision, Kondo and Kezumi find themselves at a crossroads and must confront their new friend. Goodner and Tsurumi’s brightly illustrated chapter book should find favor with fans of Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen’s similarly designed Mercy Watson series. Short, wry, descriptive sentences make for an equally enjoyable experience whether read aloud or independently. Episodic chapters move the action along jauntily; the conclusion is somewhat abrupt, but it promises more exploration and adventures for the best friends. (This review was originally published in the June 1, 2019, issue. The book data has been updated to reflect changes in publisher and date of publication.)
A story of friendship that is both lively and lovely (Fantasy. 6-8)Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-368-02577-5
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 7, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2020
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