The solemn (and not too scary) polar bear gazing out from the cover of this latest offering from Brett (Daisy Comes Home, 2002, etc.) sets the tone for a tall tale of troll trouble based on a Norwegian folk tale. An older boy and his pet polar bear take shelter in the cozy mountain hut of a little girl named Kyri, who is worried that trolls will come to steal the Christmas Eve dinner as they have in years past. The naughty trolls do in fact tunnel in through the cellar and eat up the goodies before being chased away by the polar bear, awakened from his snooze under the stove. Brett makes good use of her signature touches: authentic cultural details in setting, costumes, and food; borders representing intricate handcrafted elements; and glimpses into actions happening on several fronts simultaneously through smaller side panels. The trolls and polar bears are incorporated into the midnight-blue sky at the top of each spread, as flickering images within the northern lights or as constellations, and the endpapers show an entire night sky with constellations made up of images from the story. Brett’s many fans will enjoy sharing this on Christmas Eve, perhaps with a plate of Scandinavian heart-shaped cookies like those that Kyri baked. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2002
ISBN: 0-399-23873-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2002
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Heartening examples of paternal love.
Following up Girl Dad (2022), Williams and Davis present an affectionate tribute to the bond between fathers and sons.
As Williams describes how “boy dads” love and support their sons, images show Black fathers and sons fishing, watching movies, flying kites, playing football, and more. Davis’ illustrations are full of color and movement. The rhyming text has a cadence that matches the upbeat visuals and will appeal to emerging readers. While some moments hew closely to traditional ideas of masculinity and chivalry (the verse “It’s no easy task teaching a boy just how to be a man. / But boy dads raise fine gentlemen the very best they can” accompanies an image of a boy holding out a chair for a female-presenting child), the book also challenges stereotypes. In one scene, a boy and his father, clad in aprons, whip up a tasty concoction in the kitchen. In another, a father comforts his son, who’s teary-eyed after spilling a dish of mac and cheese: “Boy dad knows to be brave and strong / means sometimes you have to cry.” The love between fathers and sons shines through on each page; many men and boys of color will especially appreciate seeing their experiences reflected here. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Heartening examples of paternal love. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 16, 2023
ISBN: 9780063113640
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2023
Slapstick fun for any season.
Sometimes the holidays get messy.
When a light-skinned leprechaun—complete with red beard and clover-adorned hat—appears at the end of a rainbow on a hill dotted with tulips, he’s all set to bury his gold…until the Easter Bunny hops over in a huff. The leprechaun is digging up all the tulips where the bunny was planning to hide his eggs. Their argument escalates, and readers will be reminded of Looney Tunes battles between Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck as each employs more and more outrageous traps and tricks to humiliate the other. The duo keep the fight up until a new visitor arrives; although St. Valentine’s Day has passed, a plump, light-skinned Cupid is ready to start planning for next year—allowing the two to join forces against a common enemy. The text is told in rhyming stanzas: “ ‘Gold!’ cried the bunny, / but when he bent over, / the leprechaun pushed him / facedown in the clover!” It’s not Shakespeare, but it moves the plot along. The digital illustrations are riotously funny, and the final image of the three spring holiday mascots scowling at one another, having reached an uneasy friendship, will have readers giggling all year long. Skilled storytellers will enjoy hamming up the action as the characters attempt to assert their dominance over their hillside home. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Slapstick fun for any season. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Feb. 14, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-316-37426-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Nov. 28, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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