Ultimately, though mildly amusing, there’s no real magic here.
It’s the old story: will cat and dog play, er, cat-and-mouse games—or join forces?
Officer Katz, chief cop of Kitty City and an exceptional inventor, is retiring. His goal before leaving law enforcement? To do what no cat has done before: catch Houndini, the renowned dog escape artist. Houndini’s in town for his annual performance, and Katz is determined finally to nab him. In this thin story filled with animal-themed puns whose meanings will, alas, elude younger members of the target audience (“paw-parazzi,” anyone?), storyline logic escapes as well. Children may be puzzled by the central premise that the cat needs to capture Houndini, particularly since it’s noted that the dog is welcomed every year by enraptured feline crowds. Determined to pull off his final caper, Katz utilizes one ingenious invention after another, but presto! Houndini always foils him— except for Katz’s final attempt when he unwittingly ensnares the dog in his most clever contraption. Houndini then convinces Katz they should become a team, and Katz agrees to join the traveling act, making for a somewhat satisfying, though unconvincing, ending. Broadcasting early on that Houndini’s frustrated that his act has become lackluster also means few surprises in the final scene. The cheery, lively illustrations, which feature an expressive, all-animal cast of varied species, sizes, and colors, depict an elongated, uniformed Katz and stout, mustachioed Houndini; humorous newspaper “headlines” will capture attention.
Ultimately, though mildly amusing, there’s no real magic here. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-2265-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
This warm family story is a splendid showcase for the combined talents of Medina, a Pura Belpré award winner, and Dominguez,...
Abuela is coming to stay with Mia and her parents. But how will they communicate if Mia speaks little Spanish and Abuela, little English? Could it be that a parrot named Mango is the solution?
The measured, evocative text describes how Mia’s español is not good enough to tell Abuela the things a grandmother should know. And Abuela’s English is too poquito to tell Mia all the stories a granddaughter wants to hear. Mia sets out to teach her Abuela English. A red feather Abuela has brought with her to remind her of a wild parrot that roosted in her mango trees back home gives Mia an idea. She and her mother buy a parrot they name Mango. And as Abuela and Mia teach Mango, and each other, to speak both Spanish and English, their “mouths [fill] with things to say.” The accompanying illustrations are charmingly executed in ink, gouache, and marker, “with a sprinkling of digital magic.” They depict a cheery urban neighborhood and a comfortable, small apartment. Readers from multigenerational immigrant families will recognize the all-too-familiar language barrier. They will also cheer for the warm and loving relationship between Abuela and Mia, which is evident in both text and illustrations even as the characters struggle to understand each other. A Spanish-language edition, Mango, Abuela, y yo, gracefully translated by Teresa Mlawer, publishes simultaneously.
This warm family story is a splendid showcase for the combined talents of Medina, a Pura Belpré award winner, and Dominguez, an honoree. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6900-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: April 14, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
