A sweet celebration of identity.
In this picture book from actor and LGBTQ+ advocate McKenna, a young monster goes down a path of self-exploration.
Arlo is a vampire. Well, sort of. Everyone else in the family is a vampire. Arlo’s parents and 12 younger brothers have wan complexions, dark silky hair, sharp fangs, and pointy batlike ears. Even the baby, swaddled in a black bat suit, shows off his fangs as he giggles. Arlo, with shaggy brown hair, rounded ears, peachy-pink skin, and no fangs, sticks out. And while the others "can fly around in the dark and not hit a thing," Arlo is "always knocking into things." Arlo’s parents, who resemble Morticia and Gomez Addams, urge their eldest to be patient. But Arlo is skeptical. The Harvest Moon Festival offers Arlo an opportunity for self-discovery; according to legend, the harvest moon gives all who attend the power to embrace their true selves. Arlo soon has an epiphany: “I’m a werewolf!” Published in partnership with GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), this effective allegory for the queer experience captures a child’s yearning to fit in while feeling acutely different from siblings and peers. It’s wonderful to see Arlo’s journey occurring within the embrace of a loving family; this is both a thought-provoking delight and a balm. Samels’ cute, clever illustrations complete the package; the vampire family’s elegant uniformity, their gently gothic home, and the Halloweeny atmosphere of their little town set a distinct scene without overwhelming the narrative.
A sweet celebration of identity. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9781499816235
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: March 8, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren.
In talk-show host Fallon and illustrator Ordóñez’s latest picture-book collaboration, an elderly pooch waxes rhapsodic about a life well lived.
Observing Papa sitting in his chair watching TV all day, a young pup says, “I’m starting to think…you don’t do ANYTHING.” So Papa proceeds to list his accomplishments, both big and small, mundane and profound. Some are just a result of being older and physically bigger (being tall enough to reach a high shelf and strong enough to open jars); others include winning a race and performing in a band when he was younger. Eventually, the pup realizes that while Papa may have slowed down in his old age, he’s led a full life. The most satisfying thing about Papa’s life now? Watching his grandchild take center stage: “I can say lots of thoughts / but I choose to be quiet. / I’d rather you discover things and then try it.” Fallon’s straightforward text is sweetly upbeat, though it occasionally lacks flow, forcing incongruous situations together to fit the rhyme scheme (“I cook and I mow, / and I once flew a plane. // I play newspaper puzzles because it’s good for my brain”). Featuring uncluttered, colorful backgrounds, Ordóñez’s child-friendly digital art at times takes on sepia tones, evoking the sense of looking back at old photos or memories. Though the creators tread familiar ground, the love between Papa and his little one is palpable.
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781250393975
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
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)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
