A somewhat simplified though easily digestible lesson in compassion.
A group of friends react to Badger’s bad mood.
The book opens with a series of photos featuring Badger and his pet, Snaily. On the following page, an angry Badger appears, alone. On his way to the forest with a shovel and a wagon, he trips Frog, pushes Moose, kicks Elephant, and pokes Bear. So his friends devise a plan to deal with him, starting with a “Punch!” A “Belt!” and a “Sock!” soon follow. But Hall cleverly upends expectations. Badger’s pals are in fact offering him support as he buries the deceased Snaily. The word punch refers to the drink, while belt and sock are gifts of clothing from Frog and Moose. Elephant gives Badger a “Slug!” (a new pet) and gets a “Smack!” in return: a kiss on the nose. The next day, Badger reciprocates when Bear is stung by a bee and needs comfort. Though the wordplay feels a little forced, the message that friends dealing with grief require patience and understanding rings true. Some adults may wish that Hall had unpacked Badger’s behavior a bit more, making clear that big emotions don’t excuse violence; still, the story could serve as a good jumping-off point for discussing how to process complex feelings. Spare, blocky illustrations allow the animals’ changing moods to take center stage and succinctly convey the tale’s takeaway.
A somewhat simplified though easily digestible lesson in compassion. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 22, 2025
ISBN: 9780062866219
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 28, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2025
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
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