Audrey wants to go to India. But Barbara, her cat, isn’t quite as enthusiastic. “Will I have to get off my pillow?” she asks. Still, the faithful feline sticks by her side as Audrey unveils her plan in this optimistic ode to friendship and the power of the imagination. Witty watercolors add depth to Lawson’s picture-book debut, which is written entirely in dialogue. One illustration, for example, shows Audrey, with spindly legs and oversize head, mounting her bicycle while Barbara waits in the doorway. “ ‘We have a long way to go. India is on the other side of the world.’ / ‘But what about the ocean?’ asked Barbara. / ‘What ocean?’ ” On the next page, Audrey and Barbara consult a globe. “ ‘That one,” said Barbara. ‘It’s between us and India.’ / ‘Oh,’ said Audrey.” The back-and-forth banter establishes Audrey as the visionary adventurer and Barbara as the voice of reason (and always looking for a nap). Undaunted, the heroine suits up for a swim across the sea; attempts to turn her bathtub into a boat; then outfits it with wheels from an old baby buggy. As she rolls it out the door, Barbara asks what will happen if the wind stops blowing and they get tired of rowing. “We’ll be stuck in the middle of the ocean,” she says. For the first time, optimistic Audrey contemplates defeat. But Barbara soon buoys her spirit, suggesting, “We could ask a whale for a two.” “That’s a great idea,” answers Audrey. In the end, the two set sail (Audrey’s outfitted the rig with Barbara’s favorite pillow) and end up on elephants in front of the Taj Mahal. Of course. (Picture book. 4-7)
Pub Date: May 1, 2002
ISBN: 0-689-83896-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2002
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle...
Making things is difficult work. Readers will recognize the stages of this young heroine’s experience as she struggles to realize her vision.
First comes anticipation. The artist/engineer is spotted jauntily pulling a wagonload of junkyard treasures. Accompanied by her trusty canine companion, she begins drawing plans and building an assemblage. The narration has a breezy tone: “[S]he makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” The colorful caricatures and creations contrast with the digital black outlines on a white background that depict an urban neighborhood. Intermittent blue-gray panels break up the white expanses on selected pages showing sequential actions. When the first piece doesn’t turn out as desired, the protagonist tries again, hoping to achieve magnificence. A model of persistence, she tries many adjustments; the vocabulary alone offers constructive behaviors: she “tinkers,” “wrenches,” “fiddles,” “examines,” “stares” and “tweaks.” Such hard work, however, combines with disappointing results, eventually leading to frustration, anger and injury. Explosive emotions are followed by defeat, portrayed with a small font and scaled-down figures. When the dog, whose expressions have humorously mirrored his owner’s through each phase, retrieves his leash, the resulting stroll serves them well. A fresh perspective brings renewed enthusiasm and—spoiler alert—a most magnificent scooter sidecar for a loyal assistant.
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle characterization for maximum delight. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-55453-704-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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