Gently conveyed insights on materialism.
An avid collector learns a lesson in what really matters.
Robinson the raccoon has many objects, all of which bring him joy. When a snail named Rosie unexpectedly emerges from a shell he finds, Robinson proudly displays his collection: “Isn’t it the greatest you’ve ever seen?” After all, Robinson possesses so many things! But Rosie’s skeptical. When it’s time for Robinson to check out Rosie’s collection, the little snail directs him to a grassy field. Robinson’s incredulous: “There’s nothing here.” Rosie disagrees: “This is my collection of breezes.” Next, they visit the creek, where Rosie collects bubbles; the best part, says the snail, is that they’re uncatchable. One item’s left on Rosie’s agenda: a brilliant display of northern lights in the night sky. “Wow,” gasps Robinson. “I wish I could keep everything we saw today.” Rosie explains that they can—in their heads. Surveying his items back at home, Robinson realizes that they’re just things and that he derives greater pleasure remembering the breezes, bubbles, and warmth of Rosie’s friendship. Quiet and thought-provoking, if a bit purposeful, this tale has an adult sensibility; children may miss some of the essential points and likely won’t entirely abandon material possessions like Robinson does. Still, with guidance from caregivers or educators, it should spark fruitful discussions about what matters most in life, while the charming protagonists cut endearing figures in Mills’ cozy illustrations; the color-saturated depiction of the northern lights is especially eye-catching.
Gently conveyed insights on materialism. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 4, 2025
ISBN: 9780358695349
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Quirky, familiar fun for series devotees.
After Duncan finds his crayons gone—yet again—letters arrive, detailing their adventures in friendship.
Eleven crayons send missives from their chosen spots throughout Duncan’s home (and one from his classroom). Red enjoys the thrill of extinguishing “pretend fires” with Duncan’s toy firetruck. White, so often dismissed as invisible, finds a new calling subbing in for the missing queen on the black-and-white chessboard. “Now everyone ALWAYS SEES ME!…(Well, half the time!)” Pink’s living the dream as a pastry chef helming the Breezy Bake Oven, “baking everything from little cupcakes…to…OTHER little cupcakes!” Teal, who’s hitched a ride to school in Duncan’s backpack, meets the crayons in the boy’s desk and writes, “Guess what? I HAVE A TWIN! How come you never told me?” Duncan wants to see his crayons and “meet their new friends.” A culminating dinner party assembles the crayons and their many guests: a table tennis ball, dog biscuits, a well-loved teddy bear, and more. The premise—personified crayons, away and back again—is well-trammeled territory by now, after over a dozen books and spinoffs, and Jeffers once more delivers his signature cartooning and hand-lettering. Though the pages lack the laugh-out-loud sight gags and side-splittingly funny asides of previous outings, readers—especially fans of the crayons’ previous outings—will enjoy checking in on their pals.
Quirky, familiar fun for series devotees. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: June 3, 2025
ISBN: 9780593622360
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: March 8, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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