A charming introduction to the meaning and value of childhood dreams.
A child’s big, blue fluffy dream fills Vidalón’s book.
The sentient, smiling dream gives Penelope a sense of meaning and purpose in life, and in return, Penelope takes good care of it. As Penelope’s dream develops it grows so big that it begins to overwhelm Penelope’s life: It is too big to fit in cars, can’t get through doorways, and gets in the way of play dates. Penelope’s friends laugh at the size of her dream, which leaves her feeling embarrassed, so she decides to leave her dream in her bedroom from then on. Still, Penelope looks forward to seeing her dream at the end of each day. Soon the dream, feeling neglected, starts to shrink. One day Penelope comes home and can’t find her dream. She searches everywhere, finally finding the tiny blue puffy ball hiding in her dresser drawer. Penelope decides to again make room for her dream in her daily life no matter what people say. The author never explains exactly what Penelope’s dream is, nor whether it represents a specific life goal or simply a sense of hope: “After all, we all have a dream….” This ambiguity invites young readers to explore their own dreams and identify what they care about and why. The author’s own illustrations of Penelope with her fair skin and her cloudlike dream are bold and colorful, and the text is straightforward, occasionally employing fun typography for emphasis.
A charming introduction to the meaning and value of childhood dreams.Pub Date: March 20, 2023
ISBN: 9798987991404
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: June 5, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
A good choice for offering comfort and support to a budding perfectionist.
Can anyone be perfect?
Beatrice Bottomwell always does everything right. “Most people in town didn’t even know Beatrice’s name. They just called her ‘The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes,’ because for as long as anyone could remember, she never did.” One Thursday though, she almost does something wrong (she drops some eggs while cooking at school but catches them just in time). Straightforward text describes Beatrice’s predicament as, unnerved, she ponders her almost-error and begins to worry. What if she really does do something wrong? Brightly colored watercolors and gentle humor combine to portray Beatrice’s eventful day, her growing fear and her sprightly pet hamster. During a school talent show, Beatrice finally makes a real mistake—in front of everyone. How will she cope? Learning how to relax enough to laugh and simply be herself just might do the trick. While the plot is predictable and the solution to the problem fairly pat, this is a well-intentioned story, full of acceptance and goodwill. It will be especially useful in a therapeutic setting; it may be a real comfort to a child who is afraid of making mistakes, while children dealing with similar issues will also find reassurance here.
A good choice for offering comfort and support to a budding perfectionist. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4022-5544-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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