An engaging and beautifully illustrated animal tale that celebrates individuality.
A zebra learns to accept his appearance in this picture book.
Zebra asks Mother Moon in the sky why he doesn’t resemble the other animals. She explains that all animals have their own unique appearances. But despite their different looks, she reminds Zebra that animals “are all traveling the maze of life together.” Still, Zebra feels lonely, which upsets Mother Moon. Hoping to ease his isolation, she sends two zebras to Earth. Although he is thrilled to have new family members, Zebra notices that they have different striped markings. Zebra is convinced Mother Moon made a mistake. He consults Father Sun, who says: “They are all like you, just not exactly like you.” He reminds Zebra that he is not alone on his life’s journey. Satisfied with Father Sun’s explanation, Zebra accepts his distinctive qualities and enjoys the company of the other animals, finally feeling happy. The story is simple but appealing. Through a thoughtful protagonist, Hart reminds readers to take pride in themselves even when they feel different. The tale also emphasizes the importance of cultivating connections and offers gorgeous illustrations. The author’s images depict realistically painted animals, including zebras, elephants, owls, and more. Many scenes have bold backgrounds in hues like deep purple and sunshiny yellow. Some pictures show Zebra’s striped appearance in intricate detail. Others include whimsical features like butterflies, serene blue waters, and an illuminated sky.
An engaging and beautifully illustrated animal tale that celebrates individuality.Pub Date: June 10, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-9854824-3-5
Page Count: 43
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Feb. 4, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
The three way chats, in which they are joined by other animals, about web spinning, themselves, other humans—are as often...
A successful juvenile by the beloved New Yorker writer portrays a farm episode with an imaginative twist that makes a poignant, humorous story of a pig, a spider and a little girl.
Young Fern Arable pleads for the life of runt piglet Wilbur and gets her father to sell him to a neighbor, Mr. Zuckerman. Daily, Fern visits the Zuckermans to sit and muse with Wilbur and with the clever pen spider Charlotte, who befriends him when he is lonely and downcast. At the news of Wilbur's forthcoming slaughter, campaigning Charlotte, to the astonishment of people for miles around, spins words in her web. "Some Pig" comes first. Then "Terrific"—then "Radiant". The last word, when Wilbur is about to win a show prize and Charlotte is about to die from building her egg sac, is "Humble". And as the wonderful Charlotte does die, the sadness is tempered by the promise of more spiders next spring.
The three way chats, in which they are joined by other animals, about web spinning, themselves, other humans—are as often informative as amusing, and the whole tenor of appealing wit and pathos will make fine entertainment for reading aloud, too.Pub Date: Oct. 15, 1952
ISBN: 978-0-06-026385-0
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1952
PERSPECTIVES
SEEN & HEARD
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