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
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
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Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.
Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!
Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.
Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 31, 2026
ISBN: 9781454999621
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026
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