Will have truck enthusiasts making the leap to astronomy.
Diggersaurs meet their cosmic counterparts.
Whaite once again combines machine and beast. However, this time, instead of construction trucks, it is Martian rovers who take center stage as readers meet the Roversaurs. Their spindly appendages and agile frames lend themselves nicely to the dinosaur mashup. These Roversaurs have research to conduct. They test soil, take photos, and map the topography of the landscape. They are also looking for the perfect spot to build a special project. They have a “Constructorsaurus” who works late into the night, but when the hologram blueprint is projected, the team quickly realizes they need some help. Diggersaurs to the rescue! The Diggersaurs squad comes flying in on a spaceship, and the two groups merge. While the dino-vehicles may be fantastical, details like the dusty red atmosphere and solar-powered machines are all gateways to further nonfiction exploration. Two astronauts, one with dark skin and one with light (both of whom offer amusing asides), and one tiny alien can be found on each spread. With jaunty rhymes and surefire kid appeal, this one will make any storytime blast off in excitement. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Will have truck enthusiasts making the leap to astronomy. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 6, 2023
ISBN: 9780593648599
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This celebration of cross-generational bonding is a textual and artistic tour de force.
A young boy yearns for what he doesn’t have, but his nana teaches him to find beauty in what he has and can give, as well as in the city where they live.
CJ doesn’t want to wait in the rain or take the bus or go places after church. But through Nana’s playful imagination and gentle leadership, he begins to see each moment as an opportunity: Trees drink raindrops from straws; the bus breathes fire; and each person has a story to tell. On the bus, Nana inspires an impromptu concert, and CJ’s lifted into a daydream of colors and light, moon and magic. Later, when walking past broken streetlamps on the way to the soup kitchen, CJ notices a rainbow and thinks of his nana’s special gift to see “beautiful where he never even thought to look.” Through de la Peña’s brilliant text, readers can hear, feel and taste the city: its grit and beauty, its quiet moments of connectedness. Robinson’s exceptional artwork works with it to ensure that readers will fully understand CJ’s journey toward appreciation of the vibrant, fascinating fabric of the city. Loosely defined patterns and gestures offer an immediate and raw quality to the Sasek-like illustrations. Painted in a warm palette, this diverse urban neighborhood is imbued with interest and possibility.
This celebration of cross-generational bonding is a textual and artistic tour de force. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-399-25774-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: Oct. 21, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2014
An enchanting—and soothing—bedtime tale.
The latest in Kuefler’s Digger series finds several tuckered-out trucks in need of some serious shut-eye.
It’s getting late, so Digger and the other vehicles decide to finish their construction work tomorrow. They wash, brush their grilles, snuggle, and say good night. Now they’re ready to snooze. A pair of rascally raccoons show up with other ideas. “We’ll play with you,” Digger says. “But only for a minute.” That minute lasts till sunup. The raccoons go to bed; the trucks return to work. Next evening, as the trucks are falling asleep, guess who arrives? The raccoons are hungry, so the trucks spend all night handing out treats. Every night, the raccoons return for various reasons. And every morning, the trucks resume work. Each night, yawning and ever more exhausted, they prepare for bed. This time, when the raccoons appear, the trucks are so beat that they’re fast asleep—except Digger, delirious with lack of sleep, who announces he’s ready to play! Now, the raccoons’ agenda has changed—they solicitously tuck Digger in, kiss him tenderly, and sing him a lullaby. Finally, Digger and the trucks enjoy sweet dreams together. Truck enthusiasts will savor this sweet story; hopefully, sleep-resistant little ones will get the point. The raccoons’ attitude reversal will have kids chuckling. The upbeat, blocky illustrations depict the vehicles with endearingly anthropomorphized faces.
An enchanting—and soothing—bedtime tale. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 25, 2024
ISBN: 9780063237933
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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