From the Netherlands, an appreciation of imagination.
A young pig uses vivid imagination—and possibly poor eyesight?—against sibling woes.
Ollie’s a pale-pink pig in a blue beret. He’s also a younger brother. His sister, who’s “bigger. And older,” is weighing him down. She scowls and looks disdainful; she’s a sourpuss, raining on parades. The intimate narrative voice (“Look, there’s Ollie. Maybe you already know him?”) says that Ollie’s sister “grizzle[s]”—a word most readers will learn right here—“a lot.” On family outings, Ollie’s sister calls cows “dull,” cars “dumb,” and an excursion boat a “slowpoke.” Ollie, rebelling, sees not cows but water buffalo; not cars but a circus parade with acrobats; and no plain slowpoke boat but a pirate ship—on which his sister’s tied to the mast. Ollie’s fantasy flights work so well as resistance to negativity that it’s baffling when, almost halfway through, a new possible cause for what he sees emerges: Ollie needs glasses. The sudden theme of weak eyesight never quite finds its place, nor does Ollie ever admit that he does need glasses, though readers see the evidence on the classroom blackboard—or does Ollie simply value imaginative play higher than teacher approval? In which case, why was the early theme so sister-focused? It’s OK—Posthuma’s neat borders, pale colors inside fine outlines, and steady visual restraint in even the outlandish scenes make for a tale that’s quirky yet calming.
From the Netherlands, an appreciation of imagination. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 6, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-64614-039-8
Page Count: 56
Publisher: Levine Querido
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren.
In talk-show host Fallon and illustrator Ordóñez’s latest picture-book collaboration, an elderly pooch waxes rhapsodic about a life well lived.
Observing Papa sitting in his chair watching TV all day, a young pup says, “I’m starting to think…you don’t do ANYTHING.” So Papa proceeds to list his accomplishments, both big and small, mundane and profound. Some are just a result of being older and physically bigger (being tall enough to reach a high shelf and strong enough to open jars); others include winning a race and performing in a band when he was younger. Eventually, the pup realizes that while Papa may have slowed down in his old age, he’s led a full life. The most satisfying thing about Papa’s life now? Watching his grandchild take center stage: “I can say lots of thoughts / but I choose to be quiet. / I’d rather you discover things and then try it.” Fallon’s straightforward text is sweetly upbeat, though it occasionally lacks flow, forcing incongruous situations together to fit the rhyme scheme (“I cook and I mow, / and I once flew a plane. // I play newspaper puzzles because it’s good for my brain”). Featuring uncluttered, colorful backgrounds, Ordóñez’s child-friendly digital art at times takes on sepia tones, evoking the sense of looking back at old photos or memories. Though the creators tread familiar ground, the love between Papa and his little one is palpable.
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781250393975
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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