An upbeat picture-book celebration of individuality and inner peace—perfect for sparking children’s creativity.
Thought-provoking interactive coloring storybook from Winkler.
As we learn, the inspiration for this book comes from the whimsical watercolors painted by his niece, Rita, who has Down syndrome. Her original paintings, featured at the end of the book, range from a shark with one ear to rainbow snails and a blue puppy, encouraging youth aged 4 to 9 to view the world differently and honor self-expression. The book cleverly pairs playful line drawings by Winkler intended for kids to decorate, along with brief descriptions and directions meant to guide them into thinking beyond traditional boundaries. Whether it’s the elephant under the umbrella, a flying pig, or a magical chef dragon, children are allowed to let their silly side loose. Exploring feelings, experimenting with choices, and learning to value one’s own vision seems to be what it’s all about here. The language throughout is easy to understand, yet empowering, reminding little ones that “there’s never just one way to color” and that diversity makes the world a brighter and better place. As both an advocate and Rita’s uncle, Winkler underscores the idea that art is not only for artistic expression but also for connection, growth, discovery, and understanding. What we get is more than a coloring book—it’s an inspiring message about creativity, difference, and belonging. Winkler opens up a world where young creators can explore happiness, originality, and boundless possibilities with this unique read.
An upbeat picture-book celebration of individuality and inner peace—perfect for sparking children’s creativity.Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2025
ISBN: 9798218794187
Page Count: 115
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Oct. 10, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A good introduction to observation, data, and trying again.
Cece loves asking “why” and “what if.”
Her parents encourage her, as does her science teacher, Ms. Curie (a wink to adult readers). When Cece and her best friend, Isaac, pair up for a science project, they choose zoology, brainstorming questions they might research. They decide to investigate whether dogs eat vegetables, using Cece’s schnauzer, Einstein, and the next day they head to Cece’s lab (inside her treehouse). Wearing white lab coats, the two observe their subject and then offer him different kinds of vegetables, alone and with toppings. Cece is discouraged when Einstein won’t eat them. She complains to her parents, “Maybe I’m not a real scientist after all….Our project was boring.” Just then, Einstein sniffs Cece’s dessert, leading her to try a new way to get Einstein to eat vegetables. Cece learns that “real scientists have fun finding answers too.” Harrison’s clean, bright illustrations add expression and personality to the story. Science report inserts are reminiscent of The Magic Schoolbus books, with less detail. Biracial Cece is a brown, freckled girl with curly hair; her father is white, and her mother has brown skin and long, black hair; Isaac and Ms. Curie both have pale skin and dark hair. While the book doesn’t pack a particularly strong emotional or educational punch, this endearing protagonist earns a place on the children’s STEM shelf.
A good introduction to observation, data, and trying again. (glossary) (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: June 19, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-06-249960-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2018
A well-meaning but lackluster tribute.
Readers bid farewell to a beloved canine character.
Momo is—or was—an adorable and very photogenic border collie owned by author Knapp. The many readers who loved him in the previous half-dozen books are in for a shock with this one. “Momo had died” is the stark reality—and there are no photographs of him here. Instead, Momo has been replaced by a flat cartoonish pastiche with strange, staring round white eyes, inserted into some of Knapp’s photography (which remains appealing, insofar as it can be discerned under the mixed media). Previous books contained few or no words. Unfortunately, virtuosity behind a lens does not guarantee mastery of verse. The art here is accompanied by words that sometimes rhyme but never find a workable or predictable rhythm (“We’d fetch and we’d catch, / we’d run and we’d jump. Every day we found new / games to play”). It’s a pity, because the subject—a pet’s death—is an important one to address with children. Of course, Momo isn’t gone; he can still be found “everywhere” in memories. But alas, he can be found here only in the crude depictions of the darling dog so well known from the earlier books.
A well-meaning but lackluster tribute. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781683693864
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Quirk Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 4, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
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