A simple counting tale with a revolutionary style.
Celebrate the annual countdown to a new planet!
“On my planet the last day of every year is Intergalactic Moving Day!” declares a big-eyed, blue-skinned youth in a military-style uniform. “On this day our planet fizzles out / And a new one blooms and shines bright in the sky.” Their family hops into their Space Pod and prepares to launch…which involves a lot of packing, represented as a countdown. “10 / I always remember to pack my robot” is followed by “9 / And my favorite snacks!” (including Rocket Snax and Galaxy Juice). The youngster makes sure not to forget their lucky caps and Dad’s baseball gloves, Mom’s books (and wrestling trophies). Then it’s out of the pod for one more photo on the old planet, then they blast off for the new planet. “After the stardust settles we sit back and take in the glowing glimmer of our new home planet,” the narrator concludes. Illustrator Malta brings the punk-inspired style fans of his adult work will recognize to this foray into picture books. This is a much-toned-down version of his magazine and comic work for big people, drawn with the same heavy lines, pupil-less eyes, and bold, dark colors. There’s little like this on your picture-book shelves; fittingly set on an alien planet, this is a hip, skater-style book that will appeal to some but not all. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A simple counting tale with a revolutionary style. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 7, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-57687-995-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: POW!
Review Posted Online: June 28, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2021
A worthwhile message that just doesn't quite fly.
A sadly lackluster paean to the premise that “no two snowflakes are alike, / almost, almost… / but not quite.”
Beginning with snowflakes, Baker then branches out to celebrate the uniqueness of other things, some found in nature, some manmade—nests, branches, leaves and forests. “No two fences, long and low, / no two roads—where do they go? / No two bridges, wood or stone, / no two houses— / anyone home?” His ultimate message, arrived at on almost the final page, is that every living thing is one of a kind. While it is certainly an important message, the very young may not make the leap from the animals and things that populate the book to humans, which make no appearance. Baker’s digital illustrations fill the spreads with simple shapes and soft, woodsy colors. The two red birds (rather like crestless cardinals) that fly through this wintry wonderland steal the show. Their expressions are adorable, their antics endearing and rather anthropomorphic—one skis, while the other tries to pelt a fox with snowballs. But they may not be enough to carry the flat text and lack of a story line. Indeed, the book depends on the rhymes and the cute birds to keep the pages turning.
A worthwhile message that just doesn't quite fly. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4424-1742-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2011
Gently encourages empathy, compassion, and consideration.
How will you behave tomorrow?
Utilizing the same format and concept of her popular Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave (2018), Hische presents young listeners with short, studied rhymes that describe various positive attributes (being helpful, patient, gentle, honest, generous, graceful, and kind). Also included are kid-friendly ways to incorporate these behaviors into daily life, with the underlying goal of making the world a better place. The illustrations, which feature friends in the forms of a mouse, cat, and rabbit, are colorful and appealing, and they extend the text by showing some additional ways of realizing the characteristics mentioned. Overall, the intentions are aboveboard, but this is a volume intended to teach about positive values and behavior, and as such, it comes across as somewhat treacly and proselytizing. The key words, incorporated into the illustrations in a graphic manner, are sometimes a bit difficult to read, and occasionally, select vocabulary and phrases (“to myself I will be true”; “my heart, my guiding light”) seem better suited for an older readership. Still, as an introduction to personality characteristics, beneficial behaviors, and social-emotional skills, this is a solid choice, and fans of the previous volume are likely to embrace this one as well. “I’ll dream of all the good that comes / when we all just do our best,” the text explains—a sentiment that’s hard to rebut.
Gently encourages empathy, compassion, and consideration. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Jan. 14, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5247-8704-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2019
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