An 8-year-old girl deals with the trials and tribulations of growing up in this debut book, the first in an anticipated series.
To say that Lexi Blender is having a difficult week may be the understatement of the year. She’s dealing with Kyle, a school bully who teases her at every opportunity, a grouchy substitute teacher named Mrs. Butters who has an unwarranted vendetta against her and a disagreeable cafeteria milk lady who refuses to give her a break at lunchtime. As if that isn’t enough, Lexi’s father recently remarried and she’s adjusting to being part of a newly blended family. Despite everything that’s being thrown at her, however, Lexi manages to handle the pressure beautifully, even utilizing Principal Giles’ thoughtful suggestions for dealing with her anger. But when Lexi’s parents’ warnings go unheeded and they continue to find her socks strewn around the house, Lexi is punished by not being allowed to attend cheerleading tryouts. Disappointed and frustrated that nobody believes that she’s innocent, Lexi is determined to get to the bottom of the sock debacle. And as she does just that, she learns that sometimes it’s the people who continuously disappoint you who ultimately come through in the end. Shainoff’s book provides the young reader with a candid look at how painful growing up can really be—especially when you’re disregarded simply because you’re a kid. From navigating the complicated politics of elementary school, to a genuine look at the difficulties a merged family faces, Shainoff covers many of the troubles a modern-day kid encounters. While some may find the ubiquitous grammatical errors troubling and the character development lacking, other readers will find it easy to overlook these minor flaws thanks to the endearing, likable Lexi. Short and simple, this book serves as a charming reprieve from the real-life difficulties of growing up. In a world chock-full of unsuitable subject matter, parents will appreciate the appropriate storylines of this book, and kids will enjoy spending time with Lexi.
Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2010
ISBN: 978-1453837955
Page Count: 55
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2012
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A nice but not requisite purchase.
A retelling of the classic fairy tale in board-book format and with a Mexican setting.
Though simplified for a younger audience, the text still relates the well-known tale: mean-spirited stepmother, spoiled stepsisters, overworked Cinderella, fairy godmother, glass slipper, charming prince, and, of course, happily-ever-after. What gives this book its flavor is the artwork. Within its Mexican setting, the characters are olive-skinned and dark-haired. Cultural references abound, as when a messenger comes carrying a banner announcing a “FIESTA” in beautiful papel picado. Cinderella is the picture of beauty, with her hair up in ribbons and flowers and her typically Mexican many-layered white dress. The companion volume, Snow White, set in Japan and illustrated by Misa Saburi, follows the same format. The simplified text tells the story of the beautiful princess sent to the forest by her wicked stepmother to be “done away with,” the dwarves that take her in, and, eventually, the happily-ever-after ending. Here too, what gives the book its flavor is the artwork. The characters wear traditional clothing, and the dwarves’ house has the requisite shoji screens, tatami mats and cherry blossoms in the garden. The puzzling question is, why the board-book presentation? Though the text is simplified, it’s still beyond the board-book audience, and the illustrations deserve full-size books.
A nice but not requisite purchase. (Board book/fairy tale. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-7915-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Playful, engaging, and full of opportunities for empathy—a raucous storytime hit.
Readers try to dislodge a monster from the pages of this emotive and interactive read-aloud.
“OH NO!” the story starts. “There’s a monster in your book!” The blue, round-headed monster with pink horns and a pink-tipped tail can be seen cheerfully munching on the opening page. “Let’s try to get him out,” declares the narrator. Readers are encouraged to shake, tilt, and spin the book around, while the monster careens around an empty background looking scared and lost. Viewers are exhorted to tickle the monster’s feet, blow on the page, and make a really loud noise. Finally, shockingly, it works: “Now he’s in your room!” But clearly a monster in your book is safer than a monster in your room, so he’s coaxed back into the illustrations and lulled to sleep, curled up under one page and cuddling a bit of another like a child with their blankie. The monster’s entirely cute appearance and clear emotional reactions to his treatment add to the interactive aspect, and some young readers might even resist the instructions to avoid hurting their new pal. Children will be brought along on the monster’s journey, going from excited, noisy, and wiggly to calm and steady (one can hope).
Playful, engaging, and full of opportunities for empathy—a raucous storytime hit. (Picture book. 2-7)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-5247-6456-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: June 4, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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