NIGHT SOUNDS

Name: NIGHT SOUNDS
Author: Javier Sobrino
ISBN: 978-1-55498-332-2

by Javier Sobrino ; illustrated by Emilio Urberuaga ; translated by Elisa Amado ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 9, 2013

Bedtime desires are gently portrayed and gathered up until it is indeed sleepy-time in this cuddlesome import. (Picture...

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The animals of the rain forest settle down for sleep, but they are disturbed by the sounds of the night in this cumulative story.

Orangutan responds first to the “WUAAaah WUAAaah WUAAaah.” “Why are you crying, little one?” he asks of the young creature lying in an old box. It snuffles and says, “Because…hic…hic, because I’m cold.” Orangutan brings a blanket and the hope that warmth will bring peace and quiet. But 10 minutes later, there’s crying again. Tapir brings a bowl of fresh water to the thirsty little one. And so it goes on, as the awakened animals become increasingly cranky. Finally, not comforted by what the animals have brought, the little one admits he wants his mummy. Tiger comes back riding on the mother elephant, and the now-revealed, very large baby gets a kiss “that can be heard all over the forest.” Everyone settles down, but then: “WUU WUU WUUUuu.” The animals are really upset this time, but the little elephant knows it is a child crying in the village and shouts, “THAT CHILD MUST HAVE A KISS!” Watercolor, ink and crayon pictures are bright and textured, and despite their interrupted sleep, all the animals are smiling. The bear balancing the tray of honey sweets and mango on its back is particularly fetching.

Bedtime desires are gently portrayed and gathered up until it is indeed sleepy-time in this cuddlesome import. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: April 9, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-55498-332-2

Page Count: 36

Publisher: Groundwood

Review Posted Online: Feb. 26, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2013

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE FOOTPRINT
by Javier Sobrino ; illustrated by Carolina Luzón ; translated by Jon Brokenbrow

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MEI MEI THE BUNNY

by Laufey ; illustrated by Lauren O'Hara ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 21, 2026

A reassuring riff on embracing imperfections.

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A young rabbit frets about her upcoming violin performance in Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey’s literary debut.

Mei Mei’s dream—“to share her music with the world”—is about to come true. She’s having her very first recital, complete with an orchestra, at the H’Opera House. But the day before the concert, Mei Mei is racked with anxiety. What if she plays a bum note in front of everyone? Sure enough, the worst happens mid-performance: She hits a clinker. But by remembering her mom’s reassuring sentiments from the night before (“Feel the wind…find the notes to make it right”), Mei Mei summons the strength to soldier on, and “wrong notes become right. Dissonance becomes beautiful.” At times, it all feels more like a resilience parable than a story, and the writing can be precious (“The flutter of butterflies wakes Mei Mei from her slumber”). Still, the message is solid, bolstered by O’Hara’s pencil and watercolor illustrations, which are plush-toy soft—fitting, as even prior to this book’s publication, a stuffed Mei Mei has been for sale at Grammy winner Laufey’s website. The tale features an all-animal, all-adorable cast, and endearingly, the art betrays no hint of modern times. A standout image presents Mei Mei onstage, temporarily incapacitated by her mistake and imagining her fellow musicians and their instruments with the color-blasted menace of an expressionist painting.

A reassuring riff on embracing imperfections. (author’s note, glossary) (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: April 21, 2026

ISBN: 9798217051748

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Penguin Workshop

Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2026

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS | CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

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IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

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Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!

Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)