A charming addition to the charismatic pup’s ranch adventures.
A young dog discovers the impact of deforestation on the local wildlife in this second installment of a series.
One morning, when Sagebrush wakes to do her chores, she becomes enchanted by the spring air and wanders into the woods, past the white ranch owner who cares for her. The corgi treks farther than she should and encounters the Shuns, tiny woodland folks who look after the forest. The Shuns don’t trust humans, who cut down their trees. Sagebrush can’t understand how her mistress could be so good and other people so bad. But soon she sees the damage the loggers have done to the forest. The next day, when they return, Sagebrush dashes up the mountain to rescue the Shuns. In this text-heavy picture book, Franks (Corky Tails: Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush, 2016) presents the environmental angle fairly, mentioning that humans use wood for things they need—paper, homes, furniture. But she also shows characters feeling helpless at the thought of stopping industry. Budding ecologists are likely to press this issue in conversations with parents or teachers: why can’t something be done to save the forest? Why wouldn’t humans want to replant the trees? Rodriguez (A Kingdom’s Story, 2017, etc.) creates superb facial expressions for Sagebrush in the delightful cartoon illustrations; the work could use even more images. Her depiction of the two Shuns reveals just the type of heroes any kid would like to find in the backyard.
A charming addition to the charismatic pup’s ranch adventures.Pub Date: June 6, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-5434-2799-8
Page Count: 34
Publisher: Xlibris
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2017
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.
A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.
Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.
Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.
When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9780316669412
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
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