A nibble into chapter books for emerging readers.
A snail searches for the perfect home—for both his heart and his stomach.
Snail loves his “old rusty bucket full of sweet red strawberries.” Well, more the strawberries than the bucket—the strawberries are his breakfast, lunch, supper, and dessert. Snail loves strawberries so much he gets buried in them. His best friend, Ladybug, has to call out to him to make sure he’s still there. One day, Ladybug tries to convince Snail to go house hunting. She wants Snail to move closer to her (and away from the strawberries). Snail refuses until he nearly eats himself out of house and home, getting so sick that he throws up (readers will echo Ladybug’s revolted reaction). Together, Snail and Ladybug go on a grand, slightly dangerous adventure to find the house that’s just right. But can they make it past the hungry chicken? Snail’s second outing (Snail Has Lunch, 2016) is five short chapters of pure silliness. Peterson’s full-color cartoon illustrations—rendered without black outlines—adopt a bright, springtime feel. Spreads often combine descriptive text with dialogue in speech bubbles, with at most 12 sentences per page. Sentences vary in length and complexity, but pictorial cues, mostly white backgrounds, and deliberate text placement help keep the story accessible. However, some of the busier pages do look a bit cluttered without panels to guide readers.
A nibble into chapter books for emerging readers. (Early reader. 6-9)Pub Date: March 24, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5344-3185-0
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Aladdin PIX
Review Posted Online: Nov. 9, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2019
No substitute for blankets or shelter, but perhaps a way of securing some warmth for those in need.
Gaiman’s free-verse meditation on coming in from, or at least temporarily fending off, the cold is accompanied by artwork from 13 illustrators.
An ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the author put out a social media appeal in 2019 asking people about their memories of warmth; the result is this picture book, whose proceeds will go to the UNHCR. For many refugees and other displaced persons, Gaiman writes, “food and friends, / home, a bed, even a blanket, / become just memories.” Here he gathers images that signify warmth, from waking in a bed “burrowed beneath blankets / and comforters” to simply holding a baked potato or being offered a scarf. Using palettes limited to black and the warm orange in which most of the text is printed, an international slate of illustrators give these images visual form, and 12 of the 13 add comments about their intentions or responses. The war in Ukraine is on the minds of Pam Smy and Bagram Ibatoulline, while Majid Adin recalls his time as a refugee in France’s “Calais jungle” camp. “You have the right to be here,” the poet concludes, which may give some comfort to those facing the cold winds of public opinion in too many of the places where refugees fetch up. The characters depicted are diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
No substitute for blankets or shelter, but perhaps a way of securing some warmth for those in need. (Picture book. 6-9)Pub Date: Oct. 31, 2023
ISBN: 9780063358089
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2023
Just right.
What does it mean to be content with what we have?
In a world where we are constantly urged to seek out the newer, better, best, debut children’s author Whipple makes a solid case for the concept of Enough. A fascination with bears has taken hold over a diverse neighborhood, with children throughout the book donning trendy bear-themed apparel. Amid the fad, the brown-haired, light-skinned protagonist explores the idea of Enough while learning to find fulfillment in their own bear sweater, purchased from a thrift store rather than the “Fancy Clothes” shop or “Better Market.” How many stories before bedtime are Enough? How many sandwiches? Bubbles? Friends? Sometimes, Enough means that we can share lunch with someone in need, give someone else a turn, or give someone money. There is happiness to be found, because after all, “when you find Enough, it’s easy to share.” The soft textures of Wong’s illustrations add a gentleness and warmth to Whipple’s lyrical text with a balanced palette of neutral and vibrant colors that seem to echo the sentiment of the title. Although young readers may miss some of the subtler details of the visual narrative, it's overall a good introduction to a valuable yet abstract idea that is bound to spark discussion as kids consider what Enough means to them. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Just right. (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: April 18, 2023
ISBN: 9780884489320
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tilbury House
Review Posted Online: Jan. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2023
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