by Michael Pellico ; illustrated by Christina Berry ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 15, 2020
A charming fantasy with a noble moral.
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In Pellico’s children’s series starter, a young girl bravely befriends a young witch.
As the sun begins to set on a splendid Halloween, 7-year-old Sabrina and her brother, Stephen, come across a truly spectacular sight. A frightened witch is sitting in a tree after colliding with it in flight; now, she’s dropped her broom, and a group of boys on the ground want to capture her, because, in their view, “Witches are bad” and not to be trusted. Plucky Sabrina climbs the tree with the witch’s broom in hand and introduces herself. Anna, the young witch, is also 7—or at least she thinks so, but because she has no friends, she’s never celebrated a birthday. The two girls hit it off and make plans to meet again and celebrate Anna turning 8. On her broom, the witch soars away, using magic to create a shower of candy for her new pal. Pellico’s book for early readers presents a tale of mystery and friendship with vibrant illustrations to swiftly relay a strong message. The mix of simple and complex vocabulary works well, introducing new terms while also providing plenty of familiar words for youngsters. Despite the short length, there’s adequate dialogue, description, and character development; however, there are a few instances when the sheer volume of text overwhelms the page. Berry’s illustrations offer vivid color and a sense of whimsy; for example, Sabrina is adorned in a tiara, cape, and cowboy boots, showcasing her offbeat, intriguing personality. The brisk plot leaves room for expansion, but its simplicity will resonate with young readers, and it delivers a powerful message about treating strangers with kindness.
A charming fantasy with a noble moral.Pub Date: Dec. 15, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-73391-307-2
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Moonbow Publishing
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 6, 2022
Sugary uplift, shrink-wrapped for the masses.
An elusive new quarry leads the How To Catch… kids on a merry chase through a natural history museum.
Taking at least a step away from the “hunters versus prey” vibe of previous entries in the popular series, the racially diverse group of young visitors dashes through various museum halls in pursuit of the eponymous dino—whose quest to “spread kindness and joy ’round the world” takes the form of a mildly tumultuous museum tour. In most of Elkerton’s overly sweet, color-saturated scenes, only portions of the Loveosaurus, who is purple and covered with pink hearts, are visible behind exhibits or lumbering off the page. But the children find small enticements left behind, from craft supplies to make cards for endangered species to pictures of smiley faces, candy heart–style personal notes (“You Rock!” “Give Hugs”), and, in the hall of medieval arms and armor, a sign urging them to “Be Honest Be Kind.” The somewhat heavy-handed lesson comes through loud and clear. “There’s a message, he wants us to think,” hints Walstead to clue in more obtuse readers…and concluding scenes of smiling people young and otherwise exchanging hugs and knuckle bumps, holding doors for a wheelchair rider, and dancing through clouds of sparkles indicate that they, at least, have gotten it. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Sugary uplift, shrink-wrapped for the masses. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Dec. 6, 2022
ISBN: 9781728268781
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Jan. 17, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2023
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by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton
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by Caryn Yacowitz ; illustrated by David Slonim ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 26, 2014
Fun, in an odd sort of way.
The old folk song is given a Hanukkah spin in a parody that blends Jewish tradition with art appreciation.
The kerchiefed grandma swallows a tiny dreidel placed atop her cream-cheesed bagel by the family cat, setting off the familiar chain of events. She swallows the oil, the latkes, 10 barrels of applesauce, a 20-ton brisket, a “mine full of gelt, before it could melt,” the menorah and candles until she is finally full. A large burp makes her feel better. The silliness, cadence and rhythm of the verse all work with the original tune; it can be a tongue twister at times but will keep kids engaged. “I know an old lady who swallowed a menorah— / A mountainous menorah, while we danced the hora.” Acrylic-based drawings using charcoal, pen and pencil place this bubbe in various scenes taken from classical paintings, providing an educational twist. She appears in comical versions of Munch’s The Scream and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid. The applesauce in a red-and-white can spoofs Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup Cans, and the menorah is set against the background of van Gogh’s The Starry Night. Adults will see the humor but might wonder about the artist’s point in his note stating that “a new look at famous works of art seemed like the perfect way to help people of all backgrounds enjoy this fresh take on an ancient holiday.”
Fun, in an odd sort of way. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Aug. 26, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-439-91530-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Levine/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2014
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