Solid yet unfruitful.
A little plant flourishes in her own time.
A bunch of plants living on a stately red porch are cheerful...except for Sprout, the adorably grumpy potted hydrangea. Two small leaves poke out of the dirt on her head, and she’s convinced that if she only lived somewhere else, she’d be able to grow more, even on her chest. After complaining about the deficiencies of the porch to her friends, she gets a travel brochure for the forest and goes exploring. Of course, none of her predicted solutions—spending time in the wild woods, surrounding herself with wise older trees, soaking up rain—spur the desired foliage, and Sprout learns that growing at home, in her own time, is best. The illustrations of anthropomorphic elements of nature—friendly mushrooms, mustachioed tree trunks, a winking rock—are a delightful focus point. The story is pleasant if old-fashioned, implying that it’s OK to have adventures out in the scary, confusing, dangerous world but that one’s provincial home is best. Unfortunately, the text becomes progressively bogged down by plant-based puns like “This forest was way past elemen-tree for Sprout,” and “I’m an unbe-leaf-able listener.” These make for an awkward and confusing read-aloud given that young audiences will not be able to readily infer that the jokes hinge upon italics or tweaks in spelling. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Solid yet unfruitful. (information on growing plants) (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Jan. 24, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-250-84878-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2022
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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