A wordy narrative on a delightful topic that’s paired with engaging, colorful illustrations.
In Belanger-Richmond’s illustrated children’s book, a young girl in Maine sees animal visitors outside her window and decides to find out as much as she can about them.
One sunny morning, elementary-school-age Clara looks out her window to witness three foxes at the edge of the woods that border her backyard—a mother fox and her two cubs. She races downstairs to tell her mom, who’s in the middle of making pancakes, but expresses excitement about her daughter’s discovery. Once Clara’s dad comes home, the three family members set off outside to find their new wild guests. Dad gives Clara a pair of binoculars, and over time, Clara enjoys watching the fox family in their natural habitat where they sleep, hunt, and play. She also learns how to observe the natural world while staying out of danger. These encounters inspire her to learn more about wildlife, and she soon gathers observational tools, including a notepad and an animal-print guide, which she keeps in her backpack with her binoculars. Later, Mom gives Clara her own nature journal for writing down what she sees in nature, and her grandmother brings her to the library so she can learn all about foxes. Throughout, the repeated phrase “What do I see?” encourages young readers to study the images and make their own observations. Mathew’s vibrant and painterly illustrations are the book’s highlight. The earlier sections of Belanger-Richmond’s text employ delightful, simple repetition. However, it relies on this device less as the story goes on, and it becomes somewhat less engaging as a result. Still, the book does valuably encourage children to engage with the outdoors in a meaningful way that’s safe for both humans and animals.
A wordy narrative on a delightful topic that’s paired with engaging, colorful illustrations.Pub Date: Nov. 12, 2024
ISBN: 9798891381094
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Mascot Kids
Review Posted Online: Nov. 20, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience.
The How to Catch A… crew try for Comet.
Having already failed to nab a Halloween witch, the Easter Bunny, a turkey, a leprechaun, the Tooth Fairy, and over a dozen other iconic trophies in previous episodes of this bestselling series, one would think the racially diverse gaggle of children in Elkerton’s moonlit, wintry scenes would be flagging…but no, here they lay out snares ranging from a loop of garland to an igloo baited with reindeer moss to an enticing candy cane maze, all in hopes of snagging one of Santa’s reindeer while he’s busy delivering presents. Infused with pop culture–based Christmas cheer (“Now I’ve already seen the shelf with the elf”), Comet prances past the traps until it’s time to gather up the kids, most of whom look terrified, for a group snapshot with the other reindeer and then climb back into harness: “This was a great stop but a few million to go / Christmas Eve must continue with style!” Though festive, the verse feels trite and unlikely to entice youngsters. A sprinkling of “True Facts About Reindeer” (“They live in the tundra, where they have friends like the arctic bunny”) wrap up this celebration of the predatory spirit. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 9781728276137
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2022
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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
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