by Maryann Cocca-Leffler ; illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2015
This pleasing story might well inspire some homemade Christmas gifts or even an outdoor Christmas morning breakfast with a...
As they decorate their tree together, a family of anthropomorphic pigs decides to make all their Christmas gifts instead of buying them.
The story focuses on Luca, the son in the family of four, who struggles to come up with an idea for a gift he can create by himself. He writes down all sorts of ideas, but everything is too hard or out of season. With suggestions from his family, he tries origami birds, homemade granola, and a snow-bear sculpture, but nothing works out quite right. Finally, on Christmas Eve, he uses the remains of his previous projects to create a jar of 365 ideas for “Together To-Dos”—activities for the whole family to experience throughout the year. On Christmas morning, the first activity chosen is to “watch the sunrise from the porch.” So the family does that while sharing Momma’s gift of a tree-shaped stack of blueberry pancakes. They are kept warm by Dad’s gift of a family-sized quilt as they are entertained with sister Rosie’s original Christmas song. The story is satisfying in both length and emotional tone, with everyone contributing to the family’s celebration in a meaningful way. Charming watercolor illustrations of the porcine household include amusing clothing for all the pigs and a cozy home decorated for Christmas.
This pleasing story might well inspire some homemade Christmas gifts or even an outdoor Christmas morning breakfast with a tree-shaped stack of blueberry pancakes. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-8075-3366-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Whitman
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2015
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by Karma Wilson ; illustrated by Jane Chapman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 16, 2024
Cheery fun that will leave series fans “egg”-static.
In his latest outing, Bear and his pals go in search of eggs.
Bear “lumbers with his friends through the Strawberry Vale.” Raven finds a nest; climbing up, “The bear finds eggs!”: a refrain that appears throughout. Instead of eating the robin’s eggs, however, Bear leaves a gift of dried berries in the nest for the “soon-to-be-chicks.” Next, the friends find 10 mallard eggs (as bright blue as the robin’s), and Bear leaves sunflower seeds. Then the wail of Mama Meadowlark, whose bright yellow undercarriage strikes a warm golden note, leads them to promise to find her lost eggs. With his friends’ assistance, Bear finds one, and they decide to paint them “so they aren’t lost again.” Another is discovered, painted, and placed in Hare’s basket. After hours of persistent searching, Bear suddenly spots the remaining two eggs “in a small patch of clover.” Before they can return these eggs, the chicks hatch and rejoin their mother. Back at his lair, Bear, with his troupe, is visited by all 17 chicks and the robin, mallard, and meadowlark moms: “And the bear finds friends!” Though this sweet spring tale centers on finding and painting eggs, it makes no overt references to Easter. The soft green and blue acrylics, predictable rhymes, and rolling rhythm make this series installment another low-key natural read-aloud.
Cheery fun that will leave series fans “egg”-static. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 16, 2024
ISBN: 9781665936552
Page Count: 40
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
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by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2020
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
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