by Michael B. Kaplan & illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 2, 2012
We don't know everything about Betty Bunny yet, and her new BFF, the bunny doll she names Little Betty, might turn out to be...
That boisterous Betty Bunny is back, and she's just as much of a handful as she was in her initial outing (Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake, 2011). This time Betty's focused on choosing a toy at the store, but with so many choices, what's a bunny to do?
Betty and her siblings are told that they can each select just one toy, and Betty at first chooses a little bunny doll. Then she quickly fills up an entire shopping cart with a towering stack of hilariously named toys, such as a Captain Gizmo Detective Kit. Her spree leads to a meltdown and a tearful trip home sans toy, but her understanding parents and siblings work with Betty to help her make an appropriate choice with her money on a return trip to the store. Kaplan's perfectly paced text captures a young child's intense emotions and limited reasoning, and the patient parents and slightly snide older brothers are real characters, as is the irrepressible Betty. Charming, large-scale illustrations in watercolor and ink are filled with details of toys and clothing, with understated colors and white backgrounds creating a fresh, contemporary air.
We don't know everything about Betty Bunny yet, and her new BFF, the bunny doll she names Little Betty, might turn out to be a handful, too. More, please. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Feb. 2, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3408-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 20, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2012
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by Michael B. Kaplan ; illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch
by Michael B. Kaplan ; illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch
by Michael B. Kaplan & illustrated by Stéphane Jorish
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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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by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
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by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
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by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson
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