A lively, warmhearted children’s story.
In McDonald’s illustrated children’s book, a rabbit and a fox become unlikely friends and must face a mutual enemy.
Cottontip, a young rabbit, has always been warned to stay out of the forest bordering his meadow home. The warning is rooted in a dubious tale about bloodthirsty foxes spread by his late grandfather. Cottontip is skeptical: As small prey animals, the meadow folk must stay alert in their daily life, he knows, but they “don’t avoid the riverbank for fear of drowning, or the sky for fear of owls and eagles. So why avoid the forest?” When Cottontip does venture into the forest, he encounters a curious, bouncy young vixen named May and her family. Cottontip is moved by their hospitality and by May’s gift of a “grace,” a token of safe passage she makes from cedar wood and a tuft of her own fur, and their meeting becomes the catalyst for profound change in the meadow. In this thoughtful coming-of-age tale, communication and like-minded feelings about home, family, and friendship outweigh natural instincts that divide predator and prey. (The animals’ natural environment is woven into a fantastical yet believable world in which flat caps and scarves are common critter outerwear, and the animals work as anglers, foragers, traders, woodcarvers, and healers.) When a pack of renegade wolves threatens forest and meadow dwellers alike, a volunteer army of foxes, rabbits, otters, birds, chipmunks, and other species goes on the offensive—the creatures are handy with “fishing spears, porcupine quill daggers, and the like,” and they make clever use of spider egg sacs, vine traps, and collapsing tunnels. McDonald’s yarn is distinguished by creative worldbuilding, high-stakes action, and relatable characters. The author avoids graphic violence but doesn’t sugarcoat the battle or its emotional toll; there are injuries and losses, and in the aftermath, the lives of many are forever changed. For Cottontip, claiming his independence as an adult means a moving, bittersweet goodbye to childhood.
A lively, warmhearted children’s story.Pub Date: May 15, 2026
ISBN: 9781732368057
Page Count: 284
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Aug. 10, 2026
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available.
A ghost learns to appreciate his differences.
The little ghost protagonist of this title is unusual. He’s a quilt, not a lightweight sheet like his parents and friends. He dislikes being different despite his mom’s reassurance that his ancestors also had unconventional appearances. Halloween makes the little ghost happy, though. He decides to watch trick-or-treaters by draping over a porch chair—but lands on a porch rail instead. A mom accompanying her daughter picks him up, wraps him around her chilly daughter, and brings him home with them! The family likes his looks and comforting warmth, and the little ghost immediately feels better about himself. As soon as he’s able to, he flies out through the chimney and muses happily that this adventure happened only due to his being a quilt. This odd but gently told story conveys the importance of self-respect and acceptance of one’s uniqueness. The delivery of this positive message has something of a heavy-handed feel and is rushed besides. It also isn’t entirely logical: The protagonist could have been a different type of covering; a blanket, for instance, might have enjoyed an identical experience. The soft, pleasing illustrations’ palette of tans, grays, white, black, some touches of color, and, occasionally, white text against black backgrounds suggest isolation, such as the ghost feels about himself. Most humans, including the trick-or-treating mom and daughter, have beige skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 66.2% of actual size.)
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7352-6447-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones.
Not even the arrival of autumn can cool down this impetuous squirrel.
Although Squirrel is skeptical about Bird’s vegetable patch (“Nothing is HAPPENING!”), Bird does produce five (count them) lovely pumpkins. Squirrel picks out a favorite: “The enormous orange one.” Bird hints that Squirrel might want to help out; Squirrel sets out to fetch some work gloves and returns to find only four pumpkins. The frequently distracted Squirrel notices more gourds disappearing and leaps to the conclusion that a thief is near. And where’s Bird?! Has Squirrel’s pal also been taken? Diligently detecting, Squirrel finds clues—peck marks, footprints, and more—and produces a sketch of the suspect. As readers will guess, each clue turns out to point to one of Squirrel and Bird’s friends. Turns out Bird was delivering pumpkins to their pals while saving the big one to give to “my very best friend,” Squirrel. But why does Squirrel haul it up a tree? “So the Pumpkin Thief can’t find it, of course!” A page of pumpkin facts provides the learning component common to all titles in this series. Once more, readers will enjoy the pleasure of prediction and repetition, Squirrel’s silly persistence, Bird’s generosity, and the vibrant color illustrations, balancing orange with green.
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 28, 2026
ISBN: 9781464268076
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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