Charming but elusive.
Although John communicates only by whistling, he finds acceptance at home, admiration and friendship at school, and true love.
That seems to be what this sweet story is about, although at the end, when he thinks he’s lost the girl who has caught his eye, he finds his voice—so perhaps it’s a story of late blooming rather than genuine acceptance of differences. Wimmer’s curving, elongated figures are accentuated by the design choice to make this nearly square book open vertically rather than horizontally, awkward to hold. This is another difference to accept. Collaged-in bits of musical scores weave among the figures, suggesting John’s thoughts; when he speaks, the notes appear in speech bubbles. The slightly surreal art complements this allegorical tale, a wordy picture book for older readers. There is one jarring note, perhaps introduced in the translation from Spanish. John’s friend Taleb, who communicates first through his art, because he doesn’t yet speak the language of the country, “stop[s] drawing immediately” when John is angry about their having feelings for the same girl, though they remain friends. But more than a new translation of the words will be necessary for this love story to find an American audience.
Charming but elusive. (Picture book. 8-10)Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2013
ISBN: 9788415784128
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Cuento de Luz
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2013
Wholesome? Yes. Proper hard work and teamwork values in place? Yes. Paint by numbers? Oh, yes.
Olympic gold medalist Morgan runs down the celebrity-sports-fiction checklist in this series opener: New school? Check. New friends? Check. New boyfriend? Maybe! New soccer team? Check. Inspire said team to take on snooty archrival private school? Check.
Quickly shedding perfunctory initial reservations, Devin sails into seventh grade at Kentville Middle School, makes instant connections in class and at Kangaroos soccer tryouts. She meets requisite bully Mirabelle at the latter, then goes on to be elected team co-captain. After a disastrous start to the season, she helps her team’s members and even the less-than-rigorous coach land on the same winning page. Following a sleepover, a dance, team-building drills and exercises, pep rallies, minor problem-solving and motivational strategizing, Devin prods the Kangaroos into position to beat the haughty Pinewood Panthers in a climactic rematch while also schooling Mirabelle, who has jumped ship to join the rival team.
Wholesome? Yes. Proper hard work and teamwork values in place? Yes. Paint by numbers? Oh, yes. (soccer glossary) (Fiction. 8-10)Pub Date: May 7, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4424-8570-9
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
While the plot moves briskly and the small black-and-white illustrations support the text effectively, it’s hard to imagine...
There’s no obvious audience for this (very) odd import.
The position of Big, Bad Wolf has recently opened up and Karl, an aggressive sheep, decides to apply for it. Accompanied by his kindhearted friend Locke, he wins a probationary period and dons the wolf’s matted fur and fierce fangs. An unpleasant episode of cannibalism, Locke’s unlikely but effective adoption of the role of Hunter, the rescue of the eaten sheep and Karl’s repentance ensue. Most often presented in picture-book format, fractured fairy tales draw on familiar characters and action then add a twist to bring surprise and humor. There are also some novel-length adaptations that play with folk tale motifs to create original, entertaining versions of traditional tales. It can be tricky, though, to engage older readers using what they might consider babyish plots or themes, so the fact that this translation features elements of "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Three Pigs" may give readers pause. Add the challenging vocabulary, arch humor, relative brevity and—true to the original tone of German folktales, some downright gruesome elements—and the ideal (or even intended) audience becomes even more unclear.
While the plot moves briskly and the small black-and-white illustrations support the text effectively, it’s hard to imagine who might enjoy this odd mishmash of fairy-tale tropes and philosophical ponderings. (Fiction. 8-10)Pub Date: April 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5409-4
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Eerdmans
Review Posted Online: Feb. 21, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2012
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