Family bonding at its sweetest.
A child recalls beloved seaside visits.
Grandad and the young protagonist used to love going to their favorite place. After making their way through the Wonky Woods, past the whooshing trains and the “spotty dogs,” they would arrive at a picturesque spot known as Pebble Beach. The child remembers days filled with imaginative play that always ended with each of them picking up a tiny stone before heading to an abandoned rowboat to paint their pebbles. A glimpse at the many pebbles that have accumulated in the old boat makes it clear that these two have kept up this routine for a long time. But one day Grandad moves away; now the child makes the journey with Mam. They select their pebbles and bring them to Grandad—who appears to have relocated to a nursing home—and Grandad and child continue their tradition despite their new circumstances. Jarvis doesn’t explain why Grandad moves, though a propped-up cane by the sofa suggests that he’s slowed down a bit in his old age. Rendered in a muted palette, Jarvis’ scribbly, naïve artwork complements a quietly joyful text that homes in on simple but memorable moments: Grandad and the child trying to guess the name of a seal they notice, sea gulls devouring Grandad’s ice cream. Jarvis makes it clear that though change is inevitable, our memories endure.
Family bonding at its sweetest. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: June 10, 2025
ISBN: 9781536242966
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.
The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.
Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)Pub Date: March 26, 2024
ISBN: 9780063329560
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
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
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