A gently presented suite of responses to help kids face fears and “just keep going.”
A mouse regulates his complicated emotions with guidance from a supportive group of animal pals.
A small rodent with giant ears has “BIG feelings.” When thunder and lightning scare him, a kindly rabbit suggests that they jump up and down together. The activity helps, though Mouse accidentally destroys a flower, which prompts another emotional reaction. (Guilt? Regret?) A nearby bird offers a hug, and Mouse feels much better. The prospect of traversing a creaky-looking bridge elicits fear, but Deer assures Mouse, “It will help if you just put one foot in front of the other.” When a bear cub fails to offer Mouse some berries, Mouse feels hurt. Butterfly’s answer: “Stop what you’re doing, pause, and breathe.” (And then the cub shares.) Later, Mouse ends up in a literally dark place as he struggles with his fear of failure. Owl tells him to close his eyes and picture “what you want.” After each solution comes the refrain “Just keep going.” Smith doesn’t touch on all big emotions—anger, pain, disgust, grief—but when it comes to frustration and, especially, fear, the regularity of this litany will be reassuring. The illustrations are greeting-card friendly, in soft earthy tones, with big-eyed, simplified animals and natural settings. Negative emotions appear as dark spikes, scribbles, bubbles, or clouds behind Mouse and trail off as they dissipate; many youngsters will find such literal imaging comforting and empowering.
A gently presented suite of responses to help kids face fears and “just keep going.” (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2025
ISBN: 9781728290300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2025
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among
Pete, the cat who couldn’t care less, celebrates Christmas with his inimitable lassitude.
If it weren’t part of the title and repeated on every other page, readers unfamiliar with Pete’s shtick might have a hard time arriving at “groovy” to describe his Christmas celebration, as the expressionless cat displays not a hint of groove in Dean’s now-trademark illustrations. Nor does Pete have a great sense of scansion: “On the first day of Christmas, / Pete gave to me… / A road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” The cat is shown at the wheel of a yellow microbus strung with garland and lights and with a star-topped tree tied to its roof. On the second day of Christmas Pete gives “me” (here depicted as a gray squirrel who gets on the bus) “2 fuzzy gloves, and a road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” On the third day, he gives “me” (now a white cat who joins Pete and the squirrel) “3 yummy cupcakes,” etc. The “me” mentioned in the lyrics changes from day to day and gift to gift, with “4 far-out surfboards” (a frog), “5 onion rings” (crocodile), and “6 skateboards rolling” (a yellow bird that shares its skateboards with the white cat, the squirrel, the frog, and the crocodile while Pete drives on). Gifts and animals pile on until the microbus finally arrives at the seaside and readers are told yet again that it’s all “GROOVY!”
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among . (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-06-267527-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 19, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
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BOOK REVIEW
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle...
Making things is difficult work. Readers will recognize the stages of this young heroine’s experience as she struggles to realize her vision.
First comes anticipation. The artist/engineer is spotted jauntily pulling a wagonload of junkyard treasures. Accompanied by her trusty canine companion, she begins drawing plans and building an assemblage. The narration has a breezy tone: “[S]he makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” The colorful caricatures and creations contrast with the digital black outlines on a white background that depict an urban neighborhood. Intermittent blue-gray panels break up the white expanses on selected pages showing sequential actions. When the first piece doesn’t turn out as desired, the protagonist tries again, hoping to achieve magnificence. A model of persistence, she tries many adjustments; the vocabulary alone offers constructive behaviors: she “tinkers,” “wrenches,” “fiddles,” “examines,” “stares” and “tweaks.” Such hard work, however, combines with disappointing results, eventually leading to frustration, anger and injury. Explosive emotions are followed by defeat, portrayed with a small font and scaled-down figures. When the dog, whose expressions have humorously mirrored his owner’s through each phase, retrieves his leash, the resulting stroll serves them well. A fresh perspective brings renewed enthusiasm and—spoiler alert—a most magnificent scooter sidecar for a loyal assistant.
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle characterization for maximum delight. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-55453-704-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014
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