Warm and winning.
When Margo’s mother expresses her worries, Margo takes her concerns to heart.
Brown-haired, light-skinned Margo seems to be a creative, adventurous child, but her vivid and rather extreme imagination leads her to exaggerate the possible repercussions of her mother’s warnings. Her mother reminds her to be careful not to get sticky while using glue for a project, so Margo immediately pictures herself sticking to everything in sight. She is ready to leap from her swing, but another warning has Margo seeing herself making a very rough landing. Playing jungle explorer in racks of clothing at a store leads to a fear of getting lost. A visit to a pet-adoption center triggers visions of wild, dangerous animals. But a sloppy kiss from a friendly dog brings everything into focus. They are ready to take their new dog home, where they know he will be a perfect fit for their messy, clumsy lives. The text might lead readers to believe that Margo’s mom is a hovering worrier, seeing danger everywhere. But the illustrations depict her as benign and calm, while Margo’s large, expressive brown eyes indicate her terror at every turn, not only thinking twice, but stopping in her tracks every time. Very young readers might be confused at the mixed messages, but the love between mother and daughter shines through, and older readers should grasp the conceit.
Warm and winning. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 17, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-77147-162-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Owlkids Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 1, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2016
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
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BOOK REVIEW
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
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