Competently depicts the effects of pollution and climate change on marine life.
In Mancuso’s illustrated children’s tale, three mermaids demonstrate ocean conservation by saving various sea creatures.
Mermaids Sara, Alix, and Lucy are playing in the waves when they see their friend Tony the Turtle acting strangely in “the place where the ocean waves break.” Concerned, Alix quickly realizes he must be cold-stunned; the mermaids need to get him to warm water pronto. They enlist the help of Beth, a human with connections to the Marine Animal Rescue, and the four transport the sea turtle to safety. This encounter inspires the mermaid trio to form an animal rescue committee, which assists a flamingo with plastic wrapped around its beak, a dolphin caught in a net, and a manatee recently hit by a jet ski. Mancuso effectively conveys how humans’ actions affect aquatic life, and Guidi’s digital art colorfully depicts the animals and their habitats. The mermaids resolve their central concern of rescuing Tony very quickly, which makes for a truncated story arc but allows the tale to showcase the plight of multiple animals. The narration unfolds via informative but uneven couplets: “Dottie the dolphin was entangled and twisted in an old fishing net. Lucy yelled, ‘She can’t move. She must have a 100 pounds of line on her, I bet!’ ” In addition, the storyline illustrates several next steps for tackling environmental issues but is light on resources. Still, this follow-up to The Fin-Tastic Cleanup(2021) may appeal to kids who care about our oceans. Reminiscent of TV shows The Magic School Bus and I Can Save the Ocean! by Allison Inches; a glossary and facts about turtles, flamingos, dolphins, and manatees are included.
Competently depicts the effects of pollution and climate change on marine life. (Picture book for ages 3-5.)Pub Date: Sept. 27, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-63755-257-5
Page Count: 38
Publisher: Mascot Kids
Review Posted Online: Oct. 17, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among
Pete, the cat who couldn’t care less, celebrates Christmas with his inimitable lassitude.
If it weren’t part of the title and repeated on every other page, readers unfamiliar with Pete’s shtick might have a hard time arriving at “groovy” to describe his Christmas celebration, as the expressionless cat displays not a hint of groove in Dean’s now-trademark illustrations. Nor does Pete have a great sense of scansion: “On the first day of Christmas, / Pete gave to me… / A road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” The cat is shown at the wheel of a yellow microbus strung with garland and lights and with a star-topped tree tied to its roof. On the second day of Christmas Pete gives “me” (here depicted as a gray squirrel who gets on the bus) “2 fuzzy gloves, and a road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” On the third day, he gives “me” (now a white cat who joins Pete and the squirrel) “3 yummy cupcakes,” etc. The “me” mentioned in the lyrics changes from day to day and gift to gift, with “4 far-out surfboards” (a frog), “5 onion rings” (crocodile), and “6 skateboards rolling” (a yellow bird that shares its skateboards with the white cat, the squirrel, the frog, and the crocodile while Pete drives on). Gifts and animals pile on until the microbus finally arrives at the seaside and readers are told yet again that it’s all “GROOVY!”
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among . (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-06-267527-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 19, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Visually sweet, though hampered by disjointed storytelling.
In this picture book from Fox News journalist Hall, a young hedgehog must find a way to protect his community when peril looms.
Hedgehog and his father both have busy days ahead. Dad’s on his way to the newspaper to report “what new news the news brings.” Hedgehog packs his backpack for an adventure, mindful of Dad’s rules: “Don’t talk to strangers” and “never ever cross the river alone.” Obeying the rules proves difficult when Hedgehog notices commotion on the other side of the river: A bear is hungrily eyeing Baby Owl, who’s fallen from her tree. With creative thinking, Hedgehog frightens off the bear and alerts Mama Owl, but the predator is still at large. So Hedgehog and Mama Owl create flyers to warn the forest residents. Though Motzo’s airy illustrations are pleasing—particularly the adorably animated Hedgehog, a tribute to Hall’s own children—the narrative feels bogged down with multiple themes as it attempts to explore the power of the written word, the importance of community, and the need to adhere to a parent’s rules. When Hedgehog apologizes for his apparent disobedience, Dad explains that Hedgehog never actually broke the rules; turns out it’s OK to cross the river in the company of an adult, and Mama Owl’s no stranger (she’s the town librarian, whom Hedgehog sees every week). The back-and-forth may leave readers confused; it also feels like a missed opportunity to discuss how to identify trustworthy adults.
Visually sweet, though hampered by disjointed storytelling. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
ISBN: 9780063357549
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Dec. 26, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2026
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