Accessible, engaging introduction to a variety of emotions kids routinely experience.
Decked out in very amusing dinosaur costumes, kids explore a range of feelings.
A group of “dino-kids,” diverse in racial presentation but adhering to a gender binary, romp across the pages, each exhibiting a common positive or negative feeling. Smiling Happy-saurus jumps, skips, and dances. Giggling Silly-saurus makes the other dino-kids roar with laughter. Ready for anything, Excite-o-saurus affirmatively approaches each day’s activity, while Brave-o-saurus meets every challenge with grit and purpose. In contrast, Scared-o-saurus reacts to new things by quivering and quaking (before deep breathing banishes her “jitters”), and silent Shy-o-saurus prefers to play alone or with just one other kid. Pouting Sad-o-saurus reacts badly when things “go wrong” before seeking a hug, and frowning Bored-o-saurus moans, groans, and mopes. Grumpy-saurus whines and whimpers, especially when he’s hungry or needs a nap, and Angry-saurus “huffs and puffs,” “gulps and gasps,” and “roars and rasps” when she’s upset. Speaking directly to its kid audience, the upbeat verse text assures them that feelings change throughout a day and that’s OK, invites them to identify how they are feeling now, and offers practical tips for acting on or coping with positive and negative moods. The dinosaur theme adds an appealing hook. Rendered in simple, flat shapes and bright color washes, each costumed dino-kid exhibits behaviors related to their specific feeling in a series of humorous vignettes guaranteed to entertain.
Accessible, engaging introduction to a variety of emotions kids routinely experience. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Aug. 31, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-78312-709-2
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Welbeck Children's
Review Posted Online: June 15, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2021
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available.
A ghost learns to appreciate his differences.
The little ghost protagonist of this title is unusual. He’s a quilt, not a lightweight sheet like his parents and friends. He dislikes being different despite his mom’s reassurance that his ancestors also had unconventional appearances. Halloween makes the little ghost happy, though. He decides to watch trick-or-treaters by draping over a porch chair—but lands on a porch rail instead. A mom accompanying her daughter picks him up, wraps him around her chilly daughter, and brings him home with them! The family likes his looks and comforting warmth, and the little ghost immediately feels better about himself. As soon as he’s able to, he flies out through the chimney and muses happily that this adventure happened only due to his being a quilt. This odd but gently told story conveys the importance of self-respect and acceptance of one’s uniqueness. The delivery of this positive message has something of a heavy-handed feel and is rushed besides. It also isn’t entirely logical: The protagonist could have been a different type of covering; a blanket, for instance, might have enjoyed an identical experience. The soft, pleasing illustrations’ palette of tans, grays, white, black, some touches of color, and, occasionally, white text against black backgrounds suggest isolation, such as the ghost feels about himself. Most humans, including the trick-or-treating mom and daughter, have beige skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 66.2% of actual size.)
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7352-6447-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones.
Not even the arrival of autumn can cool down this impetuous squirrel.
Although Squirrel is skeptical about Bird’s vegetable patch (“Nothing is HAPPENING!”), Bird does produce five (count them) lovely pumpkins. Squirrel picks out a favorite: “The enormous orange one.” Bird hints that Squirrel might want to help out; Squirrel sets out to fetch some work gloves and returns to find only four pumpkins. The frequently distracted Squirrel notices more gourds disappearing and leaps to the conclusion that a thief is near. And where’s Bird?! Has Squirrel’s pal also been taken? Diligently detecting, Squirrel finds clues—peck marks, footprints, and more—and produces a sketch of the suspect. As readers will guess, each clue turns out to point to one of Squirrel and Bird’s friends. Turns out Bird was delivering pumpkins to their pals while saving the big one to give to “my very best friend,” Squirrel. But why does Squirrel haul it up a tree? “So the Pumpkin Thief can’t find it, of course!” A page of pumpkin facts provides the learning component common to all titles in this series. Once more, readers will enjoy the pleasure of prediction and repetition, Squirrel’s silly persistence, Bird’s generosity, and the vibrant color illustrations, balancing orange with green.
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 28, 2026
ISBN: 9781464268076
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2026
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