Barnyard high jinks that won’t be to everyone’s taste (especially turkeys).
Smart sheep? More like smartypants sheep.
In this story told almost entirely in dialogue, Little Baa Baa is bored, but then Quirky Turkey comes along. They comment on the nice day. Then Quirky Turkey comments on a pile of round, brown somethings next to Little Baa Baa. When the fowl inquires about them, Little Baa Baa says they are “smarty tablets.” Smarty tablets “make you smarter.” When Quirky Turkey asks about the price, Little Baa Baa says they are “free…but only to turkeys.” Inspecting the tablets closely, Quirky Turkey says they look like poo. And they smell like poo. “ ‘Are you sure they’re not just poo?’ / ‘Smarty tablets?’ / ‘Yes, smarty tablets.’ ‘Like these ones?’ / ‘Like those ones.’ / ‘That you eat?’ / ‘That you eat.’ / ‘That are free?’ / ‘That are free.’ / ‘…but only to turkeys.’ / ‘I’m a turkey!’ / ‘Then why don’t you help yourself?’ ” Quirky Turkey does and of course discovers they are poo and exclaims in disgust. Little Baa Baa crows: “See, you’re getting smarter already!” The Sommersets’ tale of sheep mischief (there’s a warning on the cover that the book contains such) is an amusing read-aloud, particularly if the dialogue is exploited to its full effect. Every storytimer will giggle at the mention of poo, though their adults may be revolted. The earth-toned, pencil illustrations bring Mo Willems’ Pigeon books to mind, but that’s where the similarities end.
Barnyard high jinks that won’t be to everyone’s taste (especially turkeys). (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Feb. 23, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-7636-8066-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Oct. 13, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among
Pete, the cat who couldn’t care less, celebrates Christmas with his inimitable lassitude.
If it weren’t part of the title and repeated on every other page, readers unfamiliar with Pete’s shtick might have a hard time arriving at “groovy” to describe his Christmas celebration, as the expressionless cat displays not a hint of groove in Dean’s now-trademark illustrations. Nor does Pete have a great sense of scansion: “On the first day of Christmas, / Pete gave to me… / A road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” The cat is shown at the wheel of a yellow microbus strung with garland and lights and with a star-topped tree tied to its roof. On the second day of Christmas Pete gives “me” (here depicted as a gray squirrel who gets on the bus) “2 fuzzy gloves, and a road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” On the third day, he gives “me” (now a white cat who joins Pete and the squirrel) “3 yummy cupcakes,” etc. The “me” mentioned in the lyrics changes from day to day and gift to gift, with “4 far-out surfboards” (a frog), “5 onion rings” (crocodile), and “6 skateboards rolling” (a yellow bird that shares its skateboards with the white cat, the squirrel, the frog, and the crocodile while Pete drives on). Gifts and animals pile on until the microbus finally arrives at the seaside and readers are told yet again that it’s all “GROOVY!”
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among . (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-06-267527-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 19, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle...
Making things is difficult work. Readers will recognize the stages of this young heroine’s experience as she struggles to realize her vision.
First comes anticipation. The artist/engineer is spotted jauntily pulling a wagonload of junkyard treasures. Accompanied by her trusty canine companion, she begins drawing plans and building an assemblage. The narration has a breezy tone: “[S]he makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” The colorful caricatures and creations contrast with the digital black outlines on a white background that depict an urban neighborhood. Intermittent blue-gray panels break up the white expanses on selected pages showing sequential actions. When the first piece doesn’t turn out as desired, the protagonist tries again, hoping to achieve magnificence. A model of persistence, she tries many adjustments; the vocabulary alone offers constructive behaviors: she “tinkers,” “wrenches,” “fiddles,” “examines,” “stares” and “tweaks.” Such hard work, however, combines with disappointing results, eventually leading to frustration, anger and injury. Explosive emotions are followed by defeat, portrayed with a small font and scaled-down figures. When the dog, whose expressions have humorously mirrored his owner’s through each phase, retrieves his leash, the resulting stroll serves them well. A fresh perspective brings renewed enthusiasm and—spoiler alert—a most magnificent scooter sidecar for a loyal assistant.
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle characterization for maximum delight. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-55453-704-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014
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.
