A heartfelt and family-oriented call to the wild.
Young Oliver is reluctantly pulled into yet another camping trip.
“C’mon, bud! It’s time for an adventure!” Mama’s enthusiastic call has Oliver quaking. Though he dons a helmet and head lamp and packs water bottles, a walkie-talkie, and an umbrella, “nothing quite prepares him for this highway that stretches farther than forever.” True, Oliver enjoys some aspects of camping—pitching a tent is “a teensy bit fun,” as is a game of hide-and-seek on the trail—but they are overshadowed by frightening dark nights and tiring hikes. Nevertheless, Mama greets every new scene with the same refrain: “Now this is a room with a view!” Oliver’s grievances mount: the “spaghettiblackbeanbroccolihamburgermeatmush” that Mama serves at meals, unpredictable weather, and an impromptu haircut—the result of a s’more mishap. He dreams of never having “to go places or do things again,” but soon he begins reflecting on the moments he does enjoy: “car-ride concerts and epic dance battles,” as well as Marshmallow Roasting Championships. Ho’s narrative unfolds naturally as she crafts a convincing portrait of a less-than-outdoorsy youngster who nevertheless finds joys all around him—and in being with his mother. Teeming with wildlife and other fun details, Mesquita’s strikingly colored illustrations, richly textured with splatters and deft use of shadows and composition, fill every inch of the page. Oliver and Mama are brown-haired and tan-skinned.
A heartfelt and family-oriented call to the wild. (author’s note, outdoor adventure tips, list of National Parks) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
ISBN: 9780063287556
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 2, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A charming tale of an athlete who may not steal any bases but who will certainly steal readers’ hearts.
Ohtani, pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, teams up with Blank and Liem to tell the story of how his dog, Decoy, threw out a ceremonial first pitch.
It’s a big day! Decoy leaps “off the bed. Then back onto the bed. Then off the bed.” The enthusiastic pup heads outside to practice with his lucky baseball but is quickly distracted by squirrels (“we’ll play later!”), airplanes (“flyin’ high!”), and flowers (“smell ya soon!”). Dog and pitcher then head to the ballpark. In the locker room, Decoy high-paws Shohei’s teammates. It’s nearly time! But as Shohei prepares to warm up, Decoy realizes that he’s forgotten something important: his lucky ball. Without it, there will be “no championships, no parades, and no hot dogs!” Back home he goes, returning just in time. With Shohei at the plate, Decoy runs from the mound to his owner, rolling the ball into Shohei’s mitt for a “Striiiiike!” Related from a dog’s point of view, Ohtani and Blank’s energetic text lends the tale a sense of urgency and suspense. Liem’s illustrations capture the excitement of the first day of baseball season and the joys of locker room camaraderie, as well as Shohei and Decoy’s mutual affection—even when the ball is drenched in slobber, Shohei’s love for his pet shines through, and clearly, Decoy is focused when it matters.
A charming tale of an athlete who may not steal any bases but who will certainly steal readers’ hearts. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
ISBN: 9780063460775
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Oct. 10, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2025
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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