Lots of relatable fun for youngsters coming into their own.
A teddy goes bare.
Most teddy bears are “happy to dress how you want them to dress.” Not Albie. And teddies generally let their owners choose their gender, but Albie refuses (the text uses he/him pronouns for the protagonist). Each day, Albie dons a different ensemble, depending on how he feels. On Monday, Albie wears an infant’s bonnet and onesie and reclines in a stroller; he quickly doffs those duds (“Wrong outfit! Wrong age!”) and decides he’s a prince, complete with a gold crown. On Tuesday, a bored Albie opts for a glittery-winged Butterfly Bear getup. Albie then tries out cowboy and pirate outfits as well as “city” and “country” togs. Finally, on Sunday, donating everything previously worn “to poor teddies in rags,” Albie decides to wear only “a beautiful smile.” Expressed in jaunty rhymes, this bouncy U.K. import lets kids practice naming the days of the week; it will be readily embraced by children trying to figure out who they are, those who balk when it comes time to getting dressed for the day, and youngsters who enjoy experimenting with different clothing choices. Frustrated parents who struggle with getting kids to pick out an outfit—or even keep it on altogether—will chuckle knowingly at Albie’s antics. The comical, energetic color illustrations get at the heart of the protagonist’s lively, expressive personality as he figures out who he wants to be.
Lots of relatable fun for youngsters coming into their own. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 4, 2025
ISBN: 9781915252951
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scallywag Press
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Handy advice for perpetually inquisitive children.
Interior decorator and TV personality Gaines invites readers to open their eyes and exercise their imaginations.
There’s a world to be explored out there—and only children can really take part. What does “looking for wonder” entail? Slowing down and looking up, around, and everywhere. At the outset, a group of eager, racially diverse young friends—including one who uses a wheelchair—are fully prepared for a grand adventure. They offer tips about how and where to look: Why, there’s a “grand parade” of marching ants! And, these kids add, perspective is key. A rainy day might signal gloom to some, but to those filled with wonder, showers bring “magic puddles for play”; a forest is “an enchanted world,” the ocean conceals “a spectacular city,” and the night sky boasts “extraordinary sights.” The takeaway: “Wonder is never in short supply.” It’s a robust, empowering message, as is the exhortation to “keep your mind open, and let curiosity guide the way.” Youngsters are also advised to share their discoveries. The upbeat narrative is delivered in clunky verse, but the colorful cartoonish illustrations brimming with activity and good cheer (including some adorable anthropomorphized animals in the backgrounds) make up for the textual lapses and should motivate readers to embark on their own “wonder explorations.”
Handy advice for perpetually inquisitive children. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Jan. 28, 2025
ISBN: 9781400247417
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tommy Nelson
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
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