A seemingly effortless story replete with gentle humor and examples of resilience, helpfulness, and flexibility.
“It’s a perfect day for a pignic.”
On a sunny, blue-sky day, a frolicsome family of pigs sets off for a festive picnic, but enjoying the day isn’t quite as easy as it seems. Minimal text and sweet, playful pencil-and-watercolor art formatted in comic-strip panels and full- and double-page spreads show Phelan’s hardy porcine heroes as they valiantly set out on a worthy quest to enjoy themselves. But climbing trees can be hard when you’re short—is there anyone who can give a piglet a lift? Maybe a friendly tortoise can provide a step….And flying a kite can be a challenge without wind—is there anyone who can supply some? Perhaps a wolf with a lungful of hot air….The meal goes well (“Pretzels! Pies! Pickles! And plums!”), but when it looks as though a storm is coming (“Uh-oh. Dark clouds”), it’s up to the pigs to find the best in a bad situation. Mud, anyone? This warm, nearly wordless story is a nice choice for young listeners and early readers, who will bask in the light of this sparkling celebration of togetherness, goodwill, and the great outdoors. More sophisticated readers will wonder at the wolf’s intentions; what they will see as a change in heart brought about by the pigs’ disarming charm, younger readers will simply see as good-hearted fellow feeling.
A seemingly effortless story replete with gentle humor and examples of resilience, helpfulness, and flexibility. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 6, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-06-244339-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 5, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2018
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
A sweet reminder that it’s easy to weather a storm with the company and kindness of friends.
Is it a stormy-night scare or a bedtime book? Both!
Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad are heading home when a storm lets loose. Before long, their familiar, now very nervous barnyard friends (Goat, Hen, Goose, Cow, Duck, and Pig) squeeze into the garage. Blue explains that “clouds bump and tumble in the sky, / but here inside we’re warm and dry, / and all the thirsty plants below / will get a drink to help them grow!” The friends begin to relax. “Duck said, loud as he could quack it, / ‘THUNDER’S JUST A NOISY RACKET!’ ” In the quiet after the storm, the barnyard friends are sleepy, but the garage is not their home. “ ‘Beep!’ said Blue. ‘Just hop inside. / All aboard for the bedtime ride!’ ” Young readers will settle down for their own bedtimes as Blue and Toad drop each friend at home and bid them a good night before returning to the garage and their own beds. “Blue gave one small sleepy ‘Beep.’ / Then Little Blue Truck fell fast asleep.” Joseph’s rich nighttime-blue illustrations (done “in the style of [series co-creator] Jill McElmurry”) highlight the power of the storm and capture the still serenity that follows. Little Blue Truck has been chugging along since 2008, but there seems to be plenty of gas left in the tank.
A sweet reminder that it’s easy to weather a storm with the company and kindness of friends. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 22, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-328-85213-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: June 22, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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