A winning mix of light storytelling, travelogue, and character-building messages of kindness and inclusion.
A travel-loving puppy looks for treasure on an island in New Zealand in Bender’s illustrated children’s series entry.
In previous chapter books in this appealing series for early readers, floppy-eared pup Lindie Lou visited Seattle’s Space Needle in Up in Space (2016), an organic farm in Iowa in Harvest Time (2017), and New York City in Big City Magic( 2020), and she accompanied scientists to the Arctic in On Ice (2021). Here, the inquisitive and confident Lindie Lou and her human caretaker, Kate, travel from Seattle to a beach house in Mercury Bay, New Zealand, joining other adults, their children, and one of Lindie Lou’s sisters, the timid Diamond. (In each book, Lindie Lou encounters one or more of her litter mates and their adoptive families.) As the title suggests, Lindie Lou, Diamond, and the kids go on a pretend treasure hunt, then embark on a real one when they hear that a local diver has lost a traditional family heirloom—a carved, greenstone hei tiki. The main characters make a new friend: a little girl named Lilly who has an aversion to the feel of sand and a need to have things just so. The other children and the pups accept her differences and celebrate with her when she contributes to their treasure hunt. The author doesn’t deviate from the series’ successful formula: a real-life, site-specific setting; a simple plot with a dash of mild suspense; and, to wind things up, “Fun Facts,” a reading comprehension quiz, and more. Here, Lindie Lou effectively encourages Diamond to overcome her lack of confidence and fear of the unfamiliar. The action is interspersed with informative tidbits about the location, historic events, and the culture of the region (including a portrayal of a traditional Māori haka dance. Some words and phrases are set apart from the clear, large typeface by different colors, letter sizes, and positions, which will add to visual fun for young readers. Again, illustrator Willows enhances the story with expressive, watercolor-style cartoon images of the various characters.
A winning mix of light storytelling, travelogue, and character-building messages of kindness and inclusion.Pub Date: March 1, 2023
ISBN: 9781943493623
Page Count: 187
Publisher: Pina Publishing
Review Posted Online: June 14, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience.
The How to Catch A… crew try for Comet.
Having already failed to nab a Halloween witch, the Easter Bunny, a turkey, a leprechaun, the Tooth Fairy, and over a dozen other iconic trophies in previous episodes of this bestselling series, one would think the racially diverse gaggle of children in Elkerton’s moonlit, wintry scenes would be flagging…but no, here they lay out snares ranging from a loop of garland to an igloo baited with reindeer moss to an enticing candy cane maze, all in hopes of snagging one of Santa’s reindeer while he’s busy delivering presents. Infused with pop culture–based Christmas cheer (“Now I’ve already seen the shelf with the elf”), Comet prances past the traps until it’s time to gather up the kids, most of whom look terrified, for a group snapshot with the other reindeer and then climb back into harness: “This was a great stop but a few million to go / Christmas Eve must continue with style!” Though festive, the verse feels trite and unlikely to entice youngsters. A sprinkling of “True Facts About Reindeer” (“They live in the tundra, where they have friends like the arctic bunny”) wrap up this celebration of the predatory spirit. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 9781728276137
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2022
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A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
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