Read the sweet tale of kindness; skip the unnecessary addenda.
Every day best friends Zebra and Giraffe go to the watering hole together.
But today Giraffe has climbed a tree, hanging on precariously, all because he has seen a terrifying spider. Will it “crawl up [his] hoof”? Will it chase him? Zebra reminds him how strong and fast he is compared to a tiny spider, but Giraffe is adamant about remaining in arboreal safety. Zebra knows that Giraffe’s fears are unwarranted—and perhaps even silly—but understands that they are very real and upsetting. So Zebra just hangs around, allowing his quiet presence to comfort Giraffe. When there is no further sign of the dreaded spider, Giraffe nervously descends, offering heartfelt gratitude to his friend for staying with him. When Giraffe spots the spider again, with Zebra at his side he bravely speaks to the little creature, who immediately runs up the tree recently vacated by Giraffe. Giraffe understands and, with Zebra, resolutely waits beneath. Katzenberger tells the tale simply and directly, emphasizing the friends’ kindness and patience and (just barely) refraining from preaching. Sinquett’s brightly hued cartoons delightfully express the characters’ emotions and personalities, lightening the message of the text without diminishing it. The subtitle is unnecessary, as is the cloying aftermatter, indicating a lack of trust in the young readers who will easily grasp that message, especially with a grown-up to guide them.
Read the sweet tale of kindness; skip the unnecessary addenda. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Feb. 2, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-7282-2255-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks eXplore
Review Posted Online: Nov. 26, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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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