For all its simplicity, an episode rich in drama, humor, pathos, and thematic depth—with plenty of latitude for verbal...
Sturm pays tribute to the Japanese art of kamishibai storytelling with a wordless tale of two wicked children who are turned into monkeys.
Bearing sticks and angry expressions, a boy and a girl chase a red bird up a mountain slope—only to meet an enraged wizard who transforms them and leaves them to be chased by a tiger, then captured for a circus sideshow (“They Read! They Write!”). By the time they are released, both have undergone inner transformations too, and their reverent treatment of the bird when it returns leads to final glimpses of three birds flying off together. (Though inspired by the Japanese art, Sturm draws Western characters; the children and wizard are white, though the sideshow crowd is multiracial.) In an afterword with photos, Sturm (of the Adventures in Cartooning series) explains how traditional kamishibai works, drawing a clear connection between the art and graphic storytelling. He leaves decorated but otherwise blank pages opposite each of his cleanly drawn full-page illustrations throughout as silent invitations to viewers to supply their own narratives, dialogue, and sound effects to his story. Children will not be slow to take him up on the offer.
For all its simplicity, an episode rich in drama, humor, pathos, and thematic depth—with plenty of latitude for verbal embellishment. (resource list) (Graphic early reader. 4-8)Pub Date: April 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-935179-94-8
Page Count: 60
Publisher: TOON Books & Graphics
Review Posted Online: Feb. 16, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Good fun for all little ninjas and their parents.
After swinging out from the jungle after a long day of ninja-ing, Will makes his way home just in time for a bath. But as all ninjas know, danger lurks around every corner.
Even naughty ninjas get hungry, but Dad says, “Pee-yew,” and insists his little ninja get clean before going near a morsel. Ever the Naughty Ninja, Will follows his dad into the bathroom and immediately spies danger: Poisonous flies that have followed him from the jungle! As any parent would, his dad begs him not to say, “Ninja to the rescue,” because we all know what comes after a catchphrase…chaos! Through each increasingly rough rescue, Dad finds himself more and more defeated in his quest to complete bathtime, but ultimately he starts to find the infectious joy that only the ridiculousness of children can bring out in an adult. The art is bright and finds some nifty ninja perspectives that use the space well. It also places an interracial family at its center: Dad has brown skin and dark, puffy hair, and Mom is a white redhead; when out of his ninja cowl, Will looks like a slightly lighter-skinned version of his father. Kids will laugh at everything the dad is put through, and parents will knowingly nod, because we have all had nights with little ninjas soaking the bathroom floor. The book starts out a little text heavy but finds its groove quickly, reading smoothly going forward. Lots of action means it’s best not to save this one for bedtime.
Good fun for all little ninjas and their parents. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5420-9433-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A darling book for all children but especially those with autism.
A young bat who does things a little differently from her classmates figures out a way to thrive.
At school, Bitsy Bat hangs from a chair by her toes instead of sitting, uses her feet rather than her fingers to paint, and brings an ant for her snack. Between the “too-bright light,” the “too-loud words,” and a chorus of “Wrong!” from Winnie the rabbit, Bitsy melts down. But with some support from her parents and teacher, Bitsy has a great idea—some accommodations help her feel comfortable enough to learn, and a classroom activity helps her and her classmates see how she, and each of them, is special. The story is highly relatable to any young reader just getting used to school but is specifically targeted at autistic children. Though the word itself doesn’t appear in the main story, backmatter offers more information about autism, framed in a positive, supportive way. The adorable, lively illustrations bring the point home well. Bitsy is depicted right-side-up at home with her family, though the world around them is upside-down. At school, she is upside-down but much happier than when she was trying to be right-side-up like the other kids. With a lot to see on every page, children won’t get bored with repeat reads, and they’ll even learn a lesson along the way. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A darling book for all children but especially those with autism. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: June 6, 2023
ISBN: 9781665905053
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2023
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