bookshelf

ARTHUR TURNS GREEN

Name: ARTHUR TURNS GREEN
Author: Marc Brown

From the Arthur series

by Marc Brown & illustrated by Marc Brown & developed by ScrollMotion ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 23, 2011

On the first page Arthur's teacher assigns a project called the Big Green Machine. Arthur and his friends quickly start...

bookshelf

This adaptation of Brown’s newest Arthur story offers pretty much the traditional experience of reading a book; the interactive features that are the hallmark of this new generation of the “book” experience are somewhat limited.

On the first page Arthur's teacher assigns a project called the Big Green Machine. Arthur and his friends quickly start thinking of ways they can "help make the planet a better place to live." A swipe to turn the page zooms in on each character as they come up with ideas both silly (eating more so there is less garbage) and sound (recycling old clothes) before entirely turning to the next page. This technique works well to integrate the illustrations with the story, successfully mimicking the way the eye moves around a picture. The words light up as they are being read, and the pages turn forward easily with just a swipe. Interactive features within the book are limited to optional self-recorded text, on/off audio, page selection and optional automatic page turn. From the home menu, which is easily reached by the Arthur button in the upper left, readers can opt to "paint" the illustrations or do puzzles of varying levels of difficulty.

Pub Date: April 23, 2011

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: ScrollMotion

Review Posted Online: May 17, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2011

- BOOK REVIEW
HOP HELPS OUT
by Marc Brown with Peter K. Hirsch & Tolon Brown ; illustrated by Marc Brown

- BOOK REVIEW
WHY DID THE MONSTER CROSS THE ROAD?
by R.L. Stine ; illustrated by Marc Brown

- BOOK REVIEW
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
by Marc Brown ; illustrated by Marc Brown

bookshelf

THE HUMBLE PIE

From the Food Group series

by Jory John ; illustrated by Pete Oswald ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 4, 2025

A flavorful call to action sure to spur young introverts.

bookshelf

In this latest slice in the Food Group series, Humble Pie learns to stand up to a busy friend who’s taking advantage of his pal’s hard work on the sidelines.

Jake the Cake and Humble Pie are good friends. Where Pie is content to toil in the background, Jake happily shines in the spotlight. Alert readers will notice that Pie’s always right there, too, getting A-pluses and skiing expertly just behind—while also doing the support work that keeps every school and social project humming. “Fact: Nobody notices pie when there’s cake nearby!” When the two friends pair up for a science project, things begin well. But when the overcommitted Jake makes excuse after excuse, showing up late or not at all, a panicked Pie realizes that they won’t finish in time. When Jake finally shows up on the night before the project’s due, Pie courageously confronts him. “And for once, I wasn’t going to sugarcoat it.” The friends talk it out and collaborate through the night for the project’s successful presentation in class the next day. John and Oswald’s winning recipe—plentiful puns and delightful visual jokes—has yielded another treat here. The narration does skew didactic as it wraps up: “There’s nothing wrong with having a tough conversation, asking for help, or making sure you’re being treated fairly.” But it’s all good fun, in service of some gentle lessons about social-emotional development.

A flavorful call to action sure to spur young introverts. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2025

ISBN: 9780063469730

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2025

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S HEALTH & DAILY LIVING

- BOOK REVIEW
THE BIG CHEESE PRESENTS
by Jory John ; illustrated by Pete Oswald

- BOOK REVIEW
EVERYTHING'S WRONG!
by Jory John ; illustrated by Erin Kraan

- BOOK REVIEW
THE COOL BEAN MAKES A SPLASH
by Jory John ; illustrated by Pete Oswald

bookshelf

HOW TO CATCH A REINDEER

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 4, 2022

These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience.

bookshelf

The How to Catch A… crew try for Comet.

Having already failed to nab a Halloween witch, the Easter Bunny, a turkey, a leprechaun, the Tooth Fairy, and over a dozen other iconic trophies in previous episodes of this bestselling series, one would think the racially diverse gaggle of children in Elkerton’s moonlit, wintry scenes would be flagging…but no, here they lay out snares ranging from a loop of garland to an igloo baited with reindeer moss to an enticing candy cane maze, all in hopes of snagging one of Santa’s reindeer while he’s busy delivering presents. Infused with pop culture–based Christmas cheer (“Now I’ve already seen the shelf with the elf”), Comet prances past the traps until it’s time to gather up the kids, most of whom look terrified, for a group snapshot with the other reindeer and then climb back into harness: “This was a great stop but a few million to go / Christmas Eve must continue with style!” Though festive, the verse feels trite and unlikely to entice youngsters. A sprinkling of “True Facts About Reindeer” (“They live in the tundra, where they have friends like the arctic bunny”) wrap up this celebration of the predatory spirit. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience. (Picture book. 5-7)