An engaging, affirmative story about letting your true colors show.
Young monsters present themselves authentically in Latlip’s picture book.
The residents in Gribbly, a futuristic monster town, are blue or pink. When blue Nazoo tells his mom that he feels “like a purple,” they paint Nazoo his desired color. When another creature says, “There is no BLINK, there is no PLUE,” Nazoo disagrees. He feels proud to be a bit of each color. Nazoo’s openness inspires Mazzy, a three-eyed pink critter, to cut their hair, become blue, and change his name to Motley and his pronouns to he/him. When others are curious about Motley’s transformation, he explains that he “became fully me when I realized I’m blue.” Dez is emboldened to “step out…and find room to explore,” too. Dez doesn’t feel like “a blue or a pink” and opts for a rainbow appearance. The Gribbly residents say, “We see that you’re happy, so we’re happy too!” They acknowledge individual choices and self-expression and are supportive of those who “weren’t just pink or blue.” The characters here nobly stay true to themselves and appear in ways that align with how they feel inside. Latlip emphasizes how youngsters should be able to present their authentic selves in a safe environment. While subtly addressing issues of trans identity and gender fluidity, the tale also offers positive insights that underscore the value of peer, family, and community support. Wastyn’s energetic, animated illustrations feature bright colors and quirky, endearing characters.
An engaging, affirmative story about letting your true colors show.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 36
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.
Another creature is on the loose.
The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728274300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school...
The familiar theme of the challenges facing a new kid in town is given an original treatment by photographer Border in this book of photos of three-dimensional objects in a simple modeled landscape.
Peanut Butter is represented by a slice of white bread spread with the popular condiment. The other characters in the story—a hamburger with a pair of hot dogs in tow, a bowl of alphabet soup, a meatball jumping a rope of spaghetti, a carton of French fries and a pink cupcake—are represented by skillfully crafted models of these foods, anthropomorphized using simple wire construction. Rejected by each character in turn in his search for playmates, Peanut Butter discovers in the end that Jelly is his true match (not Cupcake, as the title suggests), perhaps because she is the only one who looks like him, being a slice of white bread spread with jelly. The friendly foods end up happily playing soccer together. Some parents may have trouble with the unabashedly happy depiction of carbs and American junk food (no carrots or celery sticks in this landscape), and others may find themselves troubled by the implication that friendship across difference is impossible.
Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school experiences. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 29, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-399-16773-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014
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