An appealing demonstration of the rhythms of the natural world.
Insects enchant a young nature explorer.
One spring, brown-skinned Annie discovers something new: periodical cicadas. She follows their lives with the help of her great-grandmother, grandmother, and pregnant mother. Much waiting is involved, which frustrates Annie. First, holes appear in the ground. Next, insects emerge, climb trees, shed their shells, and unfurl their wings. A few days later, they begin to sing, calling out from the trees. Annie wants to get closer to observe them, but she isn’t yet big enough to manage climbing a tree. Still, “some things are worth the wait”—a realization the child comes to with the help of her loving family. Seventeen years later, she climbs cicada-filled trees with a younger sibling. Bontje’s clear, expressive text provides the basic facts about the cicada life cycle, supplemented by helpful backmatter that offers a timeline of the insect’s life. Whang’s cozy illustrations include photos of Annie’s great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother as children, helping readers follow along as the story moves back and forth in time and the older family members recall the cicadas of their childhoods. Along the way, this multiracial family prepares for the new baby—a narrative device that nicely underscores the theme of the cyclical nature of life.
An appealing demonstration of the rhythms of the natural world. (selected sources) (Informational picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 8, 2025
ISBN: 9781773219660
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Annick Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 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 friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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