by Linda Bailey ; illustrated by Colin Jack ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 19, 2017
A welcome new pair of friends for the chapter-book set.
A boy tackles his under-the-bed nighttime monster and his insecurities with curiosity, kindness, and a bit of wisdom.
Alone in his bed at night, Leo, a white boy, confronts his fear head-on and directly addresses the monster that lurks beneath. The two begin to talk, and, much to the monster’s pleasure, Leo kindly gives him the name Fred. A mutual understanding develops when Fred explains that scaring Leo is his job. Seemingly unimpressed, Leo does get a bit frightened when Fred turns into a roaring lion, a fang-toothed snake, and a fire-breathing dragon. Back in bed in the dark with only eyes visible, Leo wisely compliments Fred as the two settle in. “You’re very good at your job.” Then: “ ‘Sleep tight,’ said Leo. ‘Don’t let the bedbugs bite.’ / ‘Bugs?’ said Fred. ‘There are bugs?’ ” Quirky, expressive cartoon digital artwork captures both the anxiety and humor exhibited in the dialogue-heavy short sentences and chapters. Leo’s newly acquired companion eventually helps him to conquer an aggressive playmate (also white) and to confidently present his show-and-tell school assignment. In the first of a new series, this extended version of Mercer Mayer’s classic There’s a Nightmare in My Closet (1968) incorporates themes of friendship, bullying, and school angst, offers satisfying conclusions, and gives readers good reason to empathize with Leo and his alter ego, Fred.
A welcome new pair of friends for the chapter-book set. (Fiction. 7-9)Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-77049-553-1
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2017
Share your opinion of this book
More by Linda Bailey
BOOK REVIEW
by Linda Bailey ; illustrated by Natalia Shaloshvili
BOOK REVIEW
by Linda Bailey ; illustrated by Freya Hartas
BOOK REVIEW
by Linda Bailey ; illustrated by Isabelle Follath
by Daymond John ; illustrated by Nicole Miles ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 21, 2023
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists.
How to raise money for a coveted poster: put your friends to work!
John, founder of the FUBU fashion line and a Shark Tank venture capitalist, offers a self-referential blueprint for financial success. Having only half of the $10 he needs for a Minka J poster, Daymond forks over $1 to buy a plain T-shirt, paints a picture of the pop star on it, sells it for $5, and uses all of his cash to buy nine more shirts. Then he recruits three friends to decorate them with his design and help sell them for an unspecified amount (from a conveniently free and empty street-fair booth) until they’re gone. The enterprising entrepreneur reimburses himself for the shirts and splits the remaining proceeds, which leaves him with enough for that poster as well as a “brand-new business book,” while his friends express other fiscal strategies: saving their share, spending it all on new art supplies, or donating part and buying a (math) book with the rest. (In a closing summation, the author also suggests investing in stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrency.) Though Miles cranks up the visual energy in her sparsely detailed illustrations by incorporating bright colors and lots of greenbacks, the actual advice feels a bit vague. Daymond is Black; most of the cast are people of color. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists. (Picture book. 7-9)Pub Date: March 21, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-56727-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023
Share your opinion of this book
by Derek Jeter with Paul Mantell ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 23, 2014
Plenty of baseball action, but the paint-by-numbers plot is just a vehicle for equally standard-issue advice. .
For his eponymous imprint, the New York Yankees star leads off with a self-referential tale of Little League triumphs.
In the first of a projected 10 episodes based on the same number of “Life Lessons” espoused by the lead author’s Turn 2 Foundation, third-grader Derek turns in an essay announcing that his dream is to play shortstop for the New York Yankees (No. 1 on the Turn 2 list: “Set your goals high”). His parents take him seriously enough not only to present him with a “contract” that promises rewards for behaviors like working hard and avoiding alcohol and drugs, but also to put a flea in the ear of his teacher after she gives him a B-minus on the essay for being unrealistic. Derek then goes on to pull up his math grade. He also proceeds to pull off brilliant plays for his new Little League team despite finding himself stuck at second base while the coach’s son makes multiple bad decisions at shortstop and, worse, publicly puts down other team members. Jeter serves as his own best example of the chosen theme’s theoretical validity, but as he never acknowledges that making the majors (in any sport) requires uncommon physical talent as well as ambition and determination, this values-driven pitch is well out of the strike zone.
Plenty of baseball action, but the paint-by-numbers plot is just a vehicle for equally standard-issue advice. . (foundation ad and curriculum guide, not seen) (Fiction. 7-9)Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4814-2312-0
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Jeter/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 15, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2014
Share your opinion of this book
More by Derek Jeter
BOOK REVIEW
by Derek Jeter with Paul Mantell
BOOK REVIEW
by Tim Green & Derek Jeter
BOOK REVIEW
by Derek Jeter with Paul Mantell
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.