A perfectly packaged—and perfectly funny—primer on situational ethics.
Big Gray Wolf wonders whether to spare the life of a lost rabbit.
Each full moon, the wolves must sing for the moon to ensure good luck on their hunt. Something of a loner, Big Gray Wolf steps away to howl on his own. Amid the sounds of the wolves’ “AAA-WOOO!” he hears a high-pitched “AAA-WAAA!”—and sees a tiny baby bunny. The youngster stops crying and gazes hopefully at Big Gray Wolf, who suddenly has a hard time following the Wolf Rule that “anyone found in the woods after nightfall [is] supposed to be eaten.” Adding to his moral dilemma is a note in the baby’s pocket, offering a “super delicious meal” in exchange for the return of “our dear little Bunkins.” A clever cost-benefit analysis (“What if they just gave him lettuce? Well, perhaps this bunny had a more appetizing brother or sister”) is followed by a hilarious sequence of the wolf braving myriad challenges to return Bunkins to his family—and perhaps to devour the hapless rabbits as well. Maliush’s stylized visuals depict a delightfully anthropomorphized cast, from large-snouted Big Gray Wolf to Bunny, who’s nearly all ears. Her thoughtfully crafted text and art validate kindness and generosity while simultaneously maintaining suspense and keeping anxiety at bay for younger readers. Meanwhile, she also humorously cajoles older readers to ponder complex themes such as questioning societal rules and assumptions and weighing selfishness against altruism.
A perfectly packaged—and perfectly funny—primer on situational ethics. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 17, 2026
ISBN: 9780735846142
Page Count: 32
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: Nov. 8, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A flavorful call to action sure to spur young introverts.
In this latest slice in the Food Group series, Humble Pie learns to stand up to a busy friend who’s taking advantage of his pal’s hard work on the sidelines.
Jake the Cake and Humble Pie are good friends. Where Pie is content to toil in the background, Jake happily shines in the spotlight. Alert readers will notice that Pie’s always right there, too, getting A-pluses and skiing expertly just behind—while also doing the support work that keeps every school and social project humming. “Fact: Nobody notices pie when there’s cake nearby!” When the two friends pair up for a science project, things begin well. But when the overcommitted Jake makes excuse after excuse, showing up late or not at all, a panicked Pie realizes that they won’t finish in time. When Jake finally shows up on the night before the project’s due, Pie courageously confronts him. “And for once, I wasn’t going to sugarcoat it.” The friends talk it out and collaborate through the night for the project’s successful presentation in class the next day. John and Oswald’s winning recipe—plentiful puns and delightful visual jokes—has yielded another treat here. The narration does skew didactic as it wraps up: “There’s nothing wrong with having a tough conversation, asking for help, or making sure you’re being treated fairly.” But it’s all good fun, in service of some gentle lessons about social-emotional development.
A flavorful call to action sure to spur young introverts. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2025
ISBN: 9780063469730
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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