by Mike Johnson & illustrated by Melanie McCall & developed by Glowdot Productions ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 11, 2011
Though it lacks anything in the way of extras or games, Hannah's little story is one worth seeking out. She's a charmer.
A child's frustrating habit of hiding things (including herself) around the house is offset by the cuteness of the hider and the light, playful tone of this app.
Honey-haired Hannah, a pint-sized toddler in hairclips and a bunny T-shirt, enjoys hiding items like her mother's hairbrush. She also enjoys hiding herself, especially at nap time ("I not tired!" she chirps) or bath time ("I not dirty!"). The cozy rooms in Hannah's house are full of potential hiding places, like cabinet drawers, closets and big couch cushions. Readers can touch these items to shake out whatever's missing, from Dad's remote control to Hannah herself. At the end of the story, Hannah's parents hide, causing a moment of genuine panic for the girl, but it all ends well with a group hug and laughs. Illustrations throughout are effective, with lots of colorful, distinct objects and parents who are drawn as alternately wary, exhausted and cuddly. There are clever details, such as an easy-to-miss photo of Hannah as a wailing baby in the background and a very amusing sock puppet–themed TV show. The story is narrated by Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, which seems like overkill for such a short, basic affair, but it speaks highly of the publisher’s commitment to production values.
Though it lacks anything in the way of extras or games, Hannah's little story is one worth seeking out. She's a charmer. (iPad storybook app. 2-6)Pub Date: Nov. 11, 2011
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: Squeaky Frog
Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2012
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by Mike Johnson ; illustrated by Melanie McCall ; developed by Glowdot Productions
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New York Times Bestseller
IndieBound Bestseller
by Adam Rubin & illustrated by Daniel Salmieri ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 14, 2012
A wandering effort, happy but pointless.
Awards & Accolades
Likes
12
New York Times Bestseller
IndieBound Bestseller
The perfect book for kids who love dragons and mild tacos.
Rubin’s story starts with an incantatory edge: “Hey, kid! Did you know that dragons love tacos? They love beef tacos and chicken tacos. They love really big gigantic tacos and tiny little baby tacos as well.” The playing field is set: dragons, tacos. As a pairing, they are fairly silly, and when the kicker comes in—that dragons hate spicy salsa, which ignites their inner fireworks—the silliness is sillier still. Second nature, after all, is for dragons to blow flames out their noses. So when the kid throws a taco party for the dragons, it seems a weak device that the clearly labeled “totally mild” salsa comes with spicy jalapenos in the fine print, prompting the dragons to burn down the house, resulting in a barn-raising at which more tacos are served. Harmless, but if there is a parable hidden in the dragon-taco tale, it is hidden in the unlit deep, and as a measure of lunacy, bridled or unbridled, it doesn’t make the leap into the outer reaches of imagination. Salmieri’s artwork is fitting, with a crabbed, ethereal line work reminiscent of Peter Sís, but the story does not offer it enough range.
A wandering effort, happy but pointless. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: June 14, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3680-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: March 27, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2012
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by Adam Rubin ; illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
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by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2020
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
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by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
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by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Laura Hughes
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