Who can’t enjoy a book that so engages the mind and expands the imagination—and in which everybody is so polite, too.
Sebastian rescues an injured crow while playing in his favorite spot in the woods, leading to a curious adventure.
After her rescue, the crow comes across a cat who has grown tired of his ball of yarn. She asks for it politely and then gives it to Sebastian as a gift. Sebastian has no need for the yarn but accepts it graciously. Then the crow comes across a baker with spoons in his rubbish bin. She asks for them, again politely, and takes them to Sebastian as a gift too. Then come the traffic cone from the witch (she was using it as a hat), the enormous can of soda from the giant, and other interesting objects in an engaging sequence. Readers will be fascinated, one page after another, to watch how the gifts take shape together in the woods. “SQUAAAAWK!” says the crow, every now and then, with personality and determination. She seems to have an end goal in mind for the collected junk, and she does not disappoint. This pleasant debut picture book from Minkovitz and Medina will have readers always wondering what will happen next. Medina’s style is reminiscent of Jon Klassen’s, distinguished by matte textures, spare use of color, and flat planes; it’s an excellent companion to Minkovitz’s wry, understated text. Sebastian is blue.
Who can’t enjoy a book that so engages the mind and expands the imagination—and in which everybody is so polite, too. (Picture book. 2-8)Pub Date: Oct. 9, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-9987999-8-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Penny Candy
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2018
A tale of mutual adoration that hits a sweet note.
Little Honey Bunny Funnybunny loves baseball almost as much as she loves her big brother P.J.—though it’s a close-run thing.
Readers familiar with the pranks P.J. plays on his younger sibling in older episodes of the series (most illustrated by Roger Bollen) will be amused—and perhaps a little confused—to see him in the role of perfect big brother after meeting his swaddled little sister for the first time in mama’s lap. But here, along with being a constant companion and “always happy to see her,” he cements his heroic status in her eyes by hitting a home run for his baseball team and then patiently teaching her how to play T-ball. After carefully coaching her and leading her through warm-up exercises, he even sits in the stands, loudly cheering her on as she scores the winning run in her own very first game. “‘You are the best brother a bunny could ever have!’” she burbles. This tale’s a tad blander compared with others centered on P.J. and his sister, but it’s undeniably cheery, with text well structured for burgeoning readers. The all-smiles animal cast in Bowers’ cartoon art features a large and diversely hued family of bunnies sporting immense floppy ears as well as a multispecies crowd of furry onlookers equally varied of color, with one spectator in a wheelchair.
A tale of mutual adoration that hits a sweet note. (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: Jan. 6, 2026
ISBN: 9798217032464
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.
A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.
Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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