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MARY HAS A BABY

Name: MARY HAS A BABY
Author: Mieke van Hooft
ISBN: 978-1-60537-304-1

by Mieke van Hooft ; illustrated by Lonneke Leever ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 2016

The book’s charming art is hampered by the inferior translation of the text.

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This Nativity story, first published in Belgium and Holland, uses rhyming verse and innovative paper-collage illustrations to present the narrative of the birth of Jesus.

Leever’s art uses cut-paper elements layered in collages with a bright palette of jewel-toned papers. Intriguing details are provided by tiny snips of paper for Joseph’s beard, real straw in the stable, and curly strips of white paper for the sheep’s wool. Some of the papers have different textures, and other, three-dimensional elements add depth to several scenes. The proportions of the animals and their charming expressions are particularly noteworthy, and the faces of the human characters are also expressive and believable. The angel appearing to the shepherds, however, looks out of place in a little girl’s short, star-spangled dress, as the rest of the cast is dressed in long robes. The characters all have light skin except for one of the wise men, who has dark skin and a black beard. The rhyming text, translated without credit from the Dutch, has several issues. Some of the verses are just right, and others scan awkwardly, while the final spread has an unfortunate typo that mars the overall effect. And the text is actively at war with the pictures when the wise men are called “very old,” as they have smooth skin and no gray in their hair.

The book’s charming art is hampered by the inferior translation of the text. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-60537-304-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Clavis

Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MONSTER AND PUPPET SHOW!
by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci ; illustrated by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci

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THE PIGEON WON'T COUNT TO 10!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

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WILL THE PIGEON GRADUATE?
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

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IT'S NOT EASY BEING A GHOST

From the It's Not Easy Being series

by Marilyn Sadler ; illustrated by Stephanie Laberis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 13, 2024

Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.

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A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.

Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.

Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)