Great fun for Lulu fans old and new.
Another wild adventure featuring the exasperating and inexplicably lovable Lulu (Lulu and the Brontosaurus, 2010; Lulu Walks the Dogs, 2012).
As hard as it may be to believe, Lulu’s doting parents have decided to take a vacation without their precious darling. What’s worse, they have hired a professional babysitter to care for her while they are gone. It doesn’t take long for Lulu to decide that Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky must go. Nothing if not determined, Lulu tries faking illness, running away, destroying her room and smuggling cats in to trigger the sitter’s severe allergies. Nothing works, perhaps because Triple S is a former spy. Wait. A spy?? Maybe she can stay after all, though not to do something as dumb as babysit, but to train Lulu in the fine art of spycraft. Throughout the text, Viorst weaves in an authorial voice that speaks directly to readers, offering witty metafictional commentary sure to induce giggles. Black-and-white drawings depicting a spirited Lula in action and a good deal of white space keep the text from becoming overwhelming to readers new to chapter books.
Great fun for Lulu fans old and new. (Fiction. 6-10)Pub Date: April 8, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4424-9746-7
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: Feb. 4, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A strong argument for the logic of inclusivity, founded on our having more in common than in conflict.
A child ruminates over things in the world that are like and unlike them.
Looking up from the page with an engaging smile, the brown-skinned narrator greets viewers as fellow humans and then, in a wandering train of thought, reflects on how we are different from most things—like a can of soup (“If you open up our lids, nothing good happens”)—but do have at least some similarities to, for instance, a mushroom or a hyena. This leads to ways in which people are distinctively alike, from wearing clothes to being embarrassed sometimes. And, all things considered, aren’t people more alike than different? In keeping with that insight, everyone in Espinosa’s bright retro illustrations is likewise individually distinct, from the young narrator’s parents (one is brown-skinned; the other is light-skinned) to each of the 15 diverse passersby in a climactic crowd scene, but at the same time recognizably human. “I am more like you than I am like most of the things on Earth,” the young observer concludes. “I’m glad.” For readers who come away trying to think of other traits that define us, Susan Verde’s even more searching I Am Human (2018), illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, makes a helpful follow-up. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A strong argument for the logic of inclusivity, founded on our having more in common than in conflict. (Picture book. 6-9)Pub Date: Sept. 20, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-4521-6337-6
Page Count: 44
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A goofy, humorous fantasy for those seeking gentle frights.
Werewolf Bram is not a very good monster.
In his first year at a magical school for villainy, Bram is thoughtful and anxious and not at all scary, sporting a cozy pullover, adorable curls of dark hair, and a quizzical expression. The other students—including enormous, fluffy, auburn-haired lion Bryan; aloof, brown-skinned elf-witch Mona; and Mal, who resembles Frankenstein’s monster—initially shun him, but Bram persists, determined to make this term a success. Young readers will enjoy spotting Hammond’s literary influences, which range from Dracula to Harry Potter and Captain Underpants. The story has a foundational earnestness that, combined with the humorous wordplay, helps moderate the fear factor. After a rocky start, Bram and his student cohort learn to reveal their insecurities and collaborate as a supportive, successful team, leading to Bram’s winning the coveted title of Villain of the Week. The lively black-and-white illustrations throughout reinforce the sweetness for more sensitive readers, with even the main teacher of wickedness, cranky Master Mardybum, not looking too terrifying, and the oddball group of friends ultimately learning to affirm one another—and themselves. The quick pace, occasional speech bubbles, creative use of varied fonts, and light mystery element will keep readers turning the pages.
A goofy, humorous fantasy for those seeking gentle frights. (drawing instructions) (Paranormal. 7-10)Pub Date: June 25, 2024
ISBN: 9781665950046
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: April 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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