A simple but discussionworthy “paw-rable” about the value of taking small steps toward the unknown.
A sheltered kitty confronts the outside world.
House cat Olivia is a “fearless explorer,” hunting, traveling to the “top of the world” (really the top of the closet), and more…all from the comfort of her home. The dryly humorous text conveys that Olivia lives a “demanding” existence; the artwork, meanwhile, shows the feline napping and playing with stuffed toys. Olivia’s indoor life is also “filled with danger,” namely, a playful child who likes to grab her tail. When Olivia tumbles out of a window while swatting a fly, her supposed bravery is put to the test. A dog scares her up a tree, and she must take a literal leap of faith to save herself. The story can be used to spur conversations about what constitutes courage and whether leaving one’s comfort zone is worth the risks. Olivia’s creative approach to her seemingly narrow existence might resonate with families who have spent considerable time in pandemic isolation and will help readers understand that introverts and other solitary types can have rich inner worlds. It is unclear if the story’s resolution should encourage readers to step outside of their preferred environments or stick with the familiar. The tempera-and-pastel illustrations, rendered in a flat, naïve art style and filled with clever foreshadowing, might make up for the unresolved existential dilemma. Olivia belongs to a brown-skinned family whose faces remain hidden throughout. (This picture book was reviewed digitally.)
A simple but discussionworthy “paw-rable” about the value of taking small steps toward the unknown. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 8, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-79720-442-0
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 26, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.
Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!
Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.
Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 31, 2026
ISBN: 9781454999621
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Sure to have little ones giggling.
Jacques is a hedgehog with a big secret: “I wear real, bona fide underwear.”
Our narrator received a mysterious package one day; an illustration shows a pair of underwear tied to a balloon with a note “from the Universe” floating down into Jacques’ burrow. Hedgehogs don’t wear underwear, however. Will Jacques be shunned? Jacques worries but comes to a decision: “I have to wear them. When I do I feel special.” Determined, Jacques, who’s been invited to a party, makes a dramatic entrance, with undies in hand. Jacques’ declaration (“I WEAR UNDERWEAR”) is met with remarks of dismay, before another hedgehog opens up about similar fears and shows off a pair of cowboy boots. More hedgehogs introduce themselves with their own confessions. The story ends with Jacques unveiling a painting of the underwear in a gallery filled with hedgehogs wearing all sorts of attire. Though the book is simple in plot, characters, and setting, it wins in its balance of bathroom humor, dramatic storytelling, and celebrations of individual expression. French words are peppered throughout, adding to the fun without detracting from the story for those unfamiliar with the language. The cartoonish illustrations brim with fun; Valdez relies heavily on geometric shapes (triangle noses for the hedgehogs; huge circles for their eyes). Details such as speech bubbles and recurring turtle and snake characters contribute to the outlandish humor.
Sure to have little ones giggling. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: April 1, 2025
ISBN: 9781250814388
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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