by Lori Doody ; illustrated by Lori Doody ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 30, 2017
Interesting as a site-specific book but less satisfying as a story.
Kate’s grandmother is proven right when the arrival of capelins signals the start of warm, sunny weather in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Kate is a light-skinned, blue-eyed girl—perhaps 5 years old—who is “excited for the start of summer.” Unfortunately, her plans for soccer, picnics, chalk drawings, pools, and bonfires are all thwarted by a long spell of “rain, drizzle, and fog” (presented amusingly in a gray cloud above rebuslike icons). After her grandmother explains the titular “capelin weather,” Kate awaits the arrival of the tiny, silver fish, wondering if they will fall from the sky. Meanwhile, she observes icebergs, whales, and kittiwakes from a distance. When the fish arrive at the shores of St. John’s, she joins with others to collect them for fertilizer and fish fries. Abruptly, the weather becomes “maybe a little too warm,” and the story ends. Opposite the illustration of a Popsicle-holding Kate is a page with facts about Newfoundland’s summer weather and about the role of capelins in the Newfoundland ecosystem. Since this page is obviously geared toward older readers, it is too bad it doesn’t include information about the Capelin Observers Network, begun in 2002. The charming, nouveau-primitive illustrations—which sometimes contain additional text—add interest and humor to an otherwise underdeveloped story. There are some appealing double-page spreads, especially one showing a multitude of bucket-toting islanders lined up on the shore. Whimsical, capelin-filled endpapers are a nice touch.
Interesting as a site-specific book but less satisfying as a story. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 30, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-927917-09-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Running the Goat
Review Posted Online: March 14, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2017
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by Karma Wilson ; illustrated by Jane Chapman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 16, 2024
Cheery fun that will leave series fans “egg”-static.
In his latest outing, Bear and his pals go in search of eggs.
Bear “lumbers with his friends through the Strawberry Vale.” Raven finds a nest; climbing up, “The bear finds eggs!”: a refrain that appears throughout. Instead of eating the robin’s eggs, however, Bear leaves a gift of dried berries in the nest for the “soon-to-be-chicks.” Next, the friends find 10 mallard eggs (as bright blue as the robin’s), and Bear leaves sunflower seeds. Then the wail of Mama Meadowlark, whose bright yellow undercarriage strikes a warm golden note, leads them to promise to find her lost eggs. With his friends’ assistance, Bear finds one, and they decide to paint them “so they aren’t lost again.” Another is discovered, painted, and placed in Hare’s basket. After hours of persistent searching, Bear suddenly spots the remaining two eggs “in a small patch of clover.” Before they can return these eggs, the chicks hatch and rejoin their mother. Back at his lair, Bear, with his troupe, is visited by all 17 chicks and the robin, mallard, and meadowlark moms: “And the bear finds friends!” Though this sweet spring tale centers on finding and painting eggs, it makes no overt references to Easter. The soft green and blue acrylics, predictable rhymes, and rolling rhythm make this series installment another low-key natural read-aloud.
Cheery fun that will leave series fans “egg”-static. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 16, 2024
ISBN: 9781665936552
Page Count: 40
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
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by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2020
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
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