A riotous, captivating charmer; fun at Halloween or anytime.
Who’s up for a family re-BOO-nion?
Stompie the zombie hasn’t enjoyed a visit from his relatives in half a millennium (and “he’s been DYING to see them!”), so he’s organized a get-together in his graveyard home. He’s got lots to do, such as going to the “GROSS-ERY STORE” for “re-flesh-ments,” including “finger food,” “tomb-atoes,” and ribs. Rushing home, Stompie tumbles from his cycle—a casket on wheels—and breaks his shinbone in two. Fortunately, his pal Itchy Witchy whisks him to Urgent Scare on her broom. Dr. Fang diagnoses a “MARROW escape” and schedules surgery; Stompie must remain overnight. “Over my dead body!” he screams. A battle of wills ensues, but the doctor prevails. Stompie’s depressed; he was looking forward to the games and food. Will he have to cancel the reunion? No! While he’s in surgery, Itchy Witchy leads the guests to the hospital, where they decorate Stompie’s room. When he returns (in his “SQUEAL-CHAIR”), he’s thrilled by his relatives’ warm greetings. The reunion proceeds after all, with music and much more merriment besides. This comical, pun-filled winner about family togetherness and friendship will arouse chuckles, though some phrases may elude kids. All examples of witty wordplay appear in boldfaced capital letters throughout. The colorful digital illustrations burst with energy; green, wide-eyed Stompie and his spooky confederates are endearing, not scary.
A riotous, captivating charmer; fun at Halloween or anytime. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Aug. 12, 2025
ISBN: 9781662527654
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: April 19, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
A tale of mutual adoration that hits a sweet note.
Little Honey Bunny Funnybunny loves baseball almost as much as she loves her big brother P.J.—though it’s a close-run thing.
Readers familiar with the pranks P.J. plays on his younger sibling in older episodes of the series (most illustrated by Roger Bollen) will be amused—and perhaps a little confused—to see him in the role of perfect big brother after meeting his swaddled little sister for the first time in mama’s lap. But here, along with being a constant companion and “always happy to see her,” he cements his heroic status in her eyes by hitting a home run for his baseball team and then patiently teaching her how to play T-ball. After carefully coaching her and leading her through warm-up exercises, he even sits in the stands, loudly cheering her on as she scores the winning run in her own very first game. “‘You are the best brother a bunny could ever have!’” she burbles. This tale’s a tad blander compared with others centered on P.J. and his sister, but it’s undeniably cheery, with text well structured for burgeoning readers. The all-smiles animal cast in Bowers’ cartoon art features a large and diversely hued family of bunnies sporting immense floppy ears as well as a multispecies crowd of furry onlookers equally varied of color, with one spectator in a wheelchair.
A tale of mutual adoration that hits a sweet note. (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: Jan. 6, 2026
ISBN: 9798217032464
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A nicely inventive little morality “tail” for newly independent readers.
Two little rats decide to show the world how tough they are, with unpredictable results.
Louie and Ralphie Ratso want to be just like their single dad, Big Lou: tough! They know that “tough” means doing mean things to other animals, like stealing Chad Badgerton’s hat. Chad Badgerton is a big badger, so taking that hat from him proves that Louie and Ralphie are just as tough as they want to be. However, it turns out that Louie and Ralphie have just done a good deed instead of a bad one: Chad Badgerton had taken that hat from little Tiny Crawley, a mouse, so when Tiny reclaims it, they are celebrated for goodness rather than toughness. Sadly, every attempt Louie and Ralphie make at doing mean things somehow turns nice. What’s a little boy rat supposed to do to be tough? Plus, they worry about what their dad will say when he finds out how good they’ve been. But wait! Maybe their dad has some other ideas? LaReau keeps the action high and completely appropriate for readers embarking on chapter books. Each of the first six chapters features a new, failed attempt by Louie and Ralphie to be mean, and the final, seventh chapter resolves everything nicely. The humor springs from their foiled efforts and their reactions to their failures. Myers’ sprightly grayscale drawings capture action and characters and add humorous details, such as the Ratsos’ “unwelcome” mat.
A nicely inventive little morality “tail” for newly independent readers. (Fiction. 5-8)Pub Date: Aug. 2, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7636-0
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2016
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