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HOW DO YOU FEEL?

Name: HOW DO YOU FEEL?
Author: Kathrin Schärer
ISBN: 9781684646975

by Kathrin Schärer ; illustrated by Kathrin Schärer ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2023

A delightful guide to essential feelings.

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Animals experience all the feels.

Using concise, repetitive wording, this striking book covers a range of sentiments, from simple (“feeling safe”) to complex (“feeling connected”). A quizzical, large-eyed lemur is “curious”; alone in a nighttime forest, a small bear clutching a lovey is “anxious.” Against a background of daisies, a squirrel, eyes blissfully shut, holds paws with a smiling mouse, both indubitably “feeling happy.” A similar squirrel is “feeling guilty” for not sharing. We don’t know what irked them, but three defiant iguanas are clearly “offended.” Cleverly, a long, “impatient” line forms behind an elephant at an ice-cream stand; on the next page the viewpoint rotates 180 degrees so we can look over the fox vendor’s shoulder at the “undecided” pachyderm. In the most dramatic close-up, a golden-eyed owl is magisterially “annoyed.” Some words will be easily recognizable by little ones, like sad, scared, alone, or shy; to illustrate this last one, a baby bear presses against a trusted grown-up as a looming hippo tries to say hello. More difficult words are included, too; young children surely might feel but be unable to name anticipation and apprehensive. Among the other emotions covered are “contented,” “bored,” “triumphant,” “queasy,” “comforted,” “brave,” “unique,” “playful,” “protected,” “excluded,” “furious,” “touched,” “sick,” and “everything.” The brilliant, evocative woodcutlike illustrations are wonderfully expressive—these spreads would look beautiful as wall art. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A delightful guide to essential feelings. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: May 1, 2023

ISBN: 9781684646975

Page Count: 64

Publisher: Kane Miller

Review Posted Online: March 13, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
THE FOX IN THE LIBRARY
by Lorenz Pauli ; illustrated by Kathrin Schärer

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IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

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Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!

Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: March 31, 2026

ISBN: 9781454999621

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MONSTER AND PUPPET SHOW!
by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci ; illustrated by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PIGEON WON'T COUNT TO 10!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
WILL THE PIGEON GRADUATE?
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

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HEDGEHOGS DON'T WEAR UNDERWEAR

by Marissa Valdez ; illustrated by Marissa Valdez ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2025

Sure to have little ones giggling.

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Jacques is a hedgehog with a big secret: “I wear real, bona fide underwear.”

Our narrator received a mysterious package one day; an illustration shows a pair of underwear tied to a balloon with a note “from the Universe” floating down into Jacques’ burrow. Hedgehogs don’t wear underwear, however. Will Jacques be shunned? Jacques worries but comes to a decision: “I have to wear them. When I do I feel special.” Determined, Jacques, who’s been invited to a party, makes a dramatic entrance, with undies in hand. Jacques’ declaration (“I WEAR UNDERWEAR”) is met with remarks of dismay, before another hedgehog opens up about similar fears and shows off a pair of cowboy boots. More hedgehogs introduce themselves with their own confessions. The story ends with Jacques unveiling a painting of the underwear in a gallery filled with hedgehogs wearing all sorts of attire. Though the book is simple in plot, characters, and setting, it wins in its balance of bathroom humor, dramatic storytelling, and celebrations of individual expression. French words are peppered throughout, adding to the fun without detracting from the story for those unfamiliar with the language. The cartoonish illustrations brim with fun; Valdez relies heavily on geometric shapes (triangle noses for the hedgehogs; huge circles for their eyes). Details such as speech bubbles and recurring turtle and snake characters contribute to the outlandish humor.

Sure to have little ones giggling. (Picture book. 3-5)