A gentle, offbeat sketch.
A capybara explains just who he is.
Not to be confused with a dog—or a mouse, a beaver, a bear, or a marmot—this self-proclaimed “tough guy” is a capybara, “the biggest rodent in the world.” Unlike dogs with their many breeds, “capybaras all look the same.” They are “excellent swimmers.” They “have a serious expression.” And they “love cuddles and care.” While this capybara goes on to describe himself collectively, there’s lots of individual personality on display. This capybara likes “observ[ing] things and their poetry,” wearing bow ties to the opera, playfully dressing up as a whale, and sipping a “well-made broth.” He speaks in a candid, conversational monologue, and separating capybara fact from fiction may be tricky for some readers. As further quirks and preferences unfold and anecdotes are shared, the question arises: Is this curious, contemplative nature a hallmark of all capybaras? Fabbri’s soft colored-pencil drawings punctuated with thin ink linework are textured but minimalist—with the white page as the background, the titular subject remains the focus.
A gentle, offbeat sketch. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-61689-945-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further.
A young Latine boy finally gets to rescue the dog of his dreams, but training can be a challenge in two languages.
Like many children, José has been dreaming of having a pet of his own, specifically un perro, a dog. Like any good owner, José promptly begins training his new canine companion but soon realizes his rescue mutt, Feliz, knows only words in English. This is a problem because in José’s home everyone speaks both Spanish and English. José and Feliz must rise to the challenge; fortunately, treats and snuggles are great motivators. The narrative uses Spanish words and phrases throughout (“perros blancos,” “¡Yo quiero este!” “¡Sientate!”), usually with English context clues for understanding. This is complex vocabulary for an early reader, and the shifting in phonics from English to Spanish will be challenging for true beginners; the book is best suited for intermediate to advanced readers in dual-language classrooms or homes. Much like Feliz, however, it is sure to find a loving (and bilingual) home. Cheerful illustrations complement the text, helping readers make sense of the narrative. While José and his mother are darker-skinned, his father and sister are lighter-skinned. (This review has been updated for accuracy.)
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further. (glossary of Spanish-English words) (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: April 25, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-52116-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
A touching, beautifully illustrated story of greatest interest to those in the New York City area.
A pair of cardinals is separated and then reunited when their tree home is moved to New York City to serve as the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
The male cardinal, Red, and his female partner, Lulu, enjoy their home in a huge evergreen tree located in the front yard of a small house in a pleasant neighborhood. When the tree is cut down and hauled away on a truck, Lulu is still inside the tree. Red follows the truck into the city but loses sight of it and gets lost. The birds are reunited when Red finds the tree transformed with colored lights and serving as the Christmas tree in a complex of city buildings. When the tree is removed after Christmas, the birds find a new home in a nearby park. Each following Christmas, the pair visit the new tree erected in the same location. Attractive illustrations effectively handle some difficult challenges of dimension and perspective and create a glowing, magical atmosphere for the snowy Christmas trees. The original owners of the tree are a multiracial family with two children; the father is African-American and the mother is white. The family is in the background in the early pages, reappearing again skating on the rink at Rockefeller Center with their tree in the background.
A touching, beautifully illustrated story of greatest interest to those in the New York City area. (author’s note) (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7733-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Aug. 20, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2017
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