by Joseph Cassis ; illustrated by Joseph Cassis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 5, 2018
A long but sometimes-delightful illustrated work for young readers.
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
GET IT
In debut author/illustrator Cassis’ children’s book, a 600-year-old family heirloom sparks a grandfather’s story about a squire’s values.
Seven-year-old Mac asks Grandpa about the gold ring he wears, and he explains to her that it’s been handed down through their family for centuries—ever since their ancestors served as squires. Back then, they began training at the age of 7, and if they proved themselves worthy at 14, they received a gold ring. Cassis illustrates Grandpa’s explanations of ancient chivalric traditions with colorful diagrams of a knight’s outfit, explanations of a squire’s stable responsibilities, and information about the family’s ancestor Mackenzie Stewart, a Scottish knight in the service of the legendary Sir Galahad. Grandpa uses tales from the past and the ideals of chivalry to provide Mac with guidance and direction, and the book focuses on the necessity of believing in oneself, treating others with respect, and being helpful and fair. Grandpa also tells Mac that squires aspired to be good friends to others, and to avoid bullying behavior. Overall, this effort is clearly a labor of love, and its heart is in the right place. That said, the text sometimes feels wordy and somewhat didactic. However, kids will likely enjoy a tale that Grandpa spins in the book’s latter half, which features several illustrations of an enormous, marvelously scary green dragon named Spitfire who lives in a dark, smelly cave. The queen sends Sir Galahad to rid the villagers of the dangerous creature, and brave Squire Mackenzie must step up when the dragon breaks Sir Galahad’s arm; however, Squire Mackenzie realizes that the creature is only irritable because it’s suffering from a bad cold. The story ends with a well-handled revelation that Mackenzie Stewart, for whom Mac is named, is female.
A long but sometimes-delightful illustrated work for young readers.Pub Date: Nov. 5, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5255-3242-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: FriesenPress
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Share your opinion of this book
by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Sandra Equihua ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 2016
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
Share your opinion of this book
More In The Series
adapted by Hannah Eliot ; illustrated by Nivea Ortiz
by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova
by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan
More by Chloe Perkins
BOOK REVIEW
by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova
BOOK REVIEW
by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan
by Tom Fletcher ; illustrated by Greg Abbott ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 5, 2017
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
Share your opinion of this book
More In The Series
by Tom Fletcher ; illustrated by Tom Fletcher
by Tom Fletcher ; illustrated by Greg Abbott
by Tom Fletcher ; illustrated by Greg Abbott
More by Tom Fletcher
BOOK REVIEW
by Tom Fletcher ; illustrated by Tom Fletcher
BOOK REVIEW
by Tom Fletcher ; illustrated by Greg Abbott
BOOK REVIEW
by Tom Fletcher ; illustrated by Greg Abbott
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.