An ode to young daydreamers—and tempting distractions—everywhere.
Daisy Marsha Martin has perfected the art of dawdling.
She doesn’t mean to be late; there is just always something else very important to do. Teaching her stuffed animals gymnastics, for instance. Or pretending to be a cat while climbing the stairs, instead of walking regularly. And really, why wouldn’t you dance while getting dressed? It just makes everything much zippier. But it also makes her mother yell, “Don’t dillydally, Daisy!” On Saturday, Daisy has swim lessons—her most favorite part of the week—and her mother has threatened to take them away if Daisy is late again. Daisy must summon every bit of strength, overcoming all obstacles, to finally be on time. (Almost.) With wide, comic eyes and frenzied energy, Daisy is a humorous visual foil to her heavy-lidded, exasperated mom. Fearing’s expressive strokes can barely contain the epic messes left in Daisy’s wake.
An ode to young daydreamers—and tempting distractions—everywhere. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 28, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-8037-4065-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: April 14, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The kimonos in this title are shown on “creative” (non-traditional) Kokeshi that have evolved from their origins as stickers...
Kokeshi, northern Japanese wooden folk dolls, are painted with differently designed kimonos that denote the area in which they are made and form the inspiration for this pretty novelty.
The kimonos in this title are shown on “creative” (non-traditional) Kokeshi that have evolved from their origins as stickers in France. (Their images are also produced on notecards and journals.) A stilted text, translated from French, accompanies these commercialized, cartoon-like images. The glossy, heavy stock, saturated with a sophisticated palette of black, brown, maroon, bluish-gray and green, teems with kawaii kokeshi— “super cute little wooden dolls”—who talk and act like contemporary little girls. Readers are invited to find the right sash, fan and hair bow to match Kimiyo’s outfit. They locate Yumi’s apartment by lifting the flap that matches her sash. A large gate-fold page reveals Yumi’s family members and another game that involves matching designs to determine her maternal and paternal families. A schoolroom scene shows the days of the week, both in transliteration and in Japanese characters. There are more words to learn when a star (hoshi), a rabbit (usagi) and a pair of socks (tabi), among other objects, serve as inspiration for funny hairstyles that appear when a die-cut page turns.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4521-0493-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2011
A modest call to individuality.
A young fashionista finds the perfect fit.
Birdie steps away from trendy footwear (Birdie's Big-Girl Shoes, 2009) when she realizes her too-snug party dress simply won't do. This birthday girl models an array of choices at the nearby boutique (“fabulously frilly sundress,” “lacy sheath” and “gauzy gown” included) but none feel "just like her." A return trip home and up the attic stairs reveals eclectic finery to suit the event—and her personality to boot. It's refreshing that Birdie's posh mom (her elongated figure emphasizes each sophisticated move) is far from rigid; this supportive parent encourages her daughter's mismatched ensemble, a hodgepodge of her grandpa's vest and bow-tie with flowing, boldly pattered skirt and whimsical, floral head-piece. As Birdie shimmies into each potentially restrictive outfit, Rim's illustrations capture each half-hearted shrug and sucked-in breath. Collage and watercolor accents lend a sensory feel to chromatic, textured design, though it's a pity the narration does not match the illustrations' or its subject's exuberance. The inclusion of Birdie's friends appears as an afterthought, but canine companion Monster remains a supportive secondary choice, dressed to the nines in his top hat to rave reviews (“Monster felt so… dapper!”).
A modest call to individuality. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-316-13287-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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