A thoroughly enjoyable tale of bravery, imagination, friendship and triumph.
Stein’s (When Disaster Strikes, 2011, etc.) debut picture book introduces a daring frog who risks everything to save the swamp he loves.
Geronimo is a bold frog who grew up on stories about the brave Native American warriors of the Big Cypress Swamp in Florida. He’s never allowed himself to be held back by his size; as a young frog, he delighted in leaping out of trees and terrifying his brother and sister while shouting “Geronimo!” in honor of the ancient warrior whose stories inspired him. Even being sent to bed without his horsefly stew never deters him from following his irrepressible dreams. When a gang that has wild parties and leaves their garbage everywhere threatens his swamp, it’s Geronimo who steps up to lead the other animals in a mission to save it. It’s not easy, and the gang captures Geronimo. But his leadership has inspired the team of animals; they find bravery where they had none so they can save their leader. After the courageous rescue, it still takes both ingenuity and the recruitment of outside help for Geronimo and his friends to save the swamp for good. The brilliantly colored illustrations are full of life and energy. Geronimo is a dynamic force, and his energy and appeal seem to leap off the pages. Stein balances several instructive moments for kids. Tiny Geronimo’s ability to save a swamp from a bunch of aggressive, mean humans shows kids that they, with perseverance, can triumph, no matter how daunting the opposition. In addition, the illustration of a heron with plastic around its neck vividly depicts the impact that littering has on the environment—another good lesson for kids. These lessons, however, do not distract from the pure joy of the adventures of Geronimo and his animal friends. The text flows well when read aloud, and it’s just challenging enough to keep the interest of children who have moved beyond very basic picture books.
A thoroughly enjoyable tale of bravery, imagination, friendship and triumph.Pub Date: Nov. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-1482535655
Page Count: 58
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: Jan. 6, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2014
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience.
The How to Catch A… crew try for Comet.
Having already failed to nab a Halloween witch, the Easter Bunny, a turkey, a leprechaun, the Tooth Fairy, and over a dozen other iconic trophies in previous episodes of this bestselling series, one would think the racially diverse gaggle of children in Elkerton’s moonlit, wintry scenes would be flagging…but no, here they lay out snares ranging from a loop of garland to an igloo baited with reindeer moss to an enticing candy cane maze, all in hopes of snagging one of Santa’s reindeer while he’s busy delivering presents. Infused with pop culture–based Christmas cheer (“Now I’ve already seen the shelf with the elf”), Comet prances past the traps until it’s time to gather up the kids, most of whom look terrified, for a group snapshot with the other reindeer and then climb back into harness: “This was a great stop but a few million to go / Christmas Eve must continue with style!” Though festive, the verse feels trite and unlikely to entice youngsters. A sprinkling of “True Facts About Reindeer” (“They live in the tundra, where they have friends like the arctic bunny”) wrap up this celebration of the predatory spirit. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 9781728276137
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story.
A home-renovation project is interrupted by a family of wrens, allowing a young girl an up-close glimpse of nature.
Renata and her father enjoy working on upgrading their bathroom, installing a clawfoot bathtub, and cutting a space for a new window. One warm night, after Papi leaves the window space open, two wrens begin making a nest in the bathroom. Rather than seeing it as an unfortunate delay of their project, Renata and Papi decide to let the avian carpenters continue their work. Renata witnesses the birth of four chicks as their rosy eggs split open “like coats that are suddenly too small.” Renata finds at a crucial moment that she can help the chicks learn to fly, even with the bittersweet knowledge that it will only hasten their exits from her life. Rosen uses lively language and well-chosen details to move the story of the baby birds forward. The text suggests the strong bond built by this Afro-Latinx father and daughter with their ongoing project without needing to point it out explicitly, a light touch in a picture book full of delicate, well-drawn moments and precise wording. Garoche’s drawings are impressively detailed, from the nest’s many small bits to the developing first feathers on the chicks and the wall smudges and exposed wiring of the renovation. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.)
Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: March 16, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-12320-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2021
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