Sophie’s unicorn-loving fans will enjoy her outing as a clueless detective.
Unicorns aren’t the only thing on which Sophie Johnson is certain she’s an expert.
Enthusiastic (and quite overconfident) unicorn expert Sophie Johnson is also a genius at detection (well, in her mind). She has studied (not the books so much as the detective TV shows), and she’s ready to solve any crime with the help of her canine assistant, Bella. In Sophie’s opinion though, Bella is not the best assistant. As is her wont, Sophie is, unknowingly, proven entirely wrong. The tail of Sophie’s stuffed lion has gone missing. Sophie sets out to discover the culprit. She interviews the suspects: a dolly, a goldfish, a toddler sibling, and various other stuffed animals. She fingerprints them. She stops for a snack because detecting is hard work. Meanwhile, in the background, Bella catches three actual thieves and gets a commendation from the police…of course Sophie doesn’t even notice. She does lock up her stuffed rabbit for the tail-napping, and she’s certain criminals would be everywhere if she weren’t so vigilant. This sequel to Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert (2018) is as fizzy as its predecessor. The colorful cartoon illustrations are full of details that tell a far different tale than Sophie’s narration. Sophie and her sibling present White, as do the would-be thieves, who are dressed in outlandishly conspicuous costumes that amplify the silliness. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 70.1% of actual size.)
Sophie’s unicorn-loving fans will enjoy her outing as a clueless detective. (Picture book. 2-7)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5344-6754-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A delightfully silly celebration of familial love.
A child in search of the best hugger takes a bedtime tour of the world’s most unusual embraces.
In the opening pages of this rhyming picture book, an unnamed narrator asks a curly-haired, tan-skinned child who they think gives the best hugs. At the narrator’s behest, the protagonist spends their bedtime routine receiving affection from a wacky cast of creatures, ranging from meerkats to porcupines to narwhals. These animals have a variety of body types, but even those with a lack of limbs still express their love; the seahorse, for example, gives the child a “smooch” right before bathtime, and a grinning cobra offers the child a “clinch,” wrapping itself around their leg. Although many of the animals prove to be more prickly than cozy—the narrator points out, for example, the sharpness of bird beaks and porcupine quills—even the snuggliest koalas and bears cannot compare to the best hug of all: a parent’s embrace right before bedtime. The use of second-person address combined with the protagonist’s beautifully illustrated facial expressions and the buoyant, clever lines of verse render this book a hilarious and whimsical ride sure to delight both children and the adults who read to them. The pictures and text work together to create a clear narrative arc for the protagonist, and though the ending is a bit predictable, it’s nevertheless a wonderful payoff. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A delightfully silly celebration of familial love. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 24, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-5476-1236-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2022
The spirit of Valentine’s Day shines bright in this caring community.
Gobble, gobble! Grab this farmyard story full of Valentine’s Day puns.
The animals on Farmer Jake’s farm are exchanging valentines. Delighted by a card from a secret admirer (“You are like no otter!”), Turkey decides to make clever valentines and surreptitiously deliver them to the other animals. Luckily, he has some punny inspiration for perfect Valentine’s Day messages. “You’re purr-fect.” “You’re dog-gone delightful.” “You’re toad-ally awesome!” As Turkey dons a different disguise for each delivery, the story offers a refrain that young listeners will soon chant. “His costume wasn’t bad. In fact, Turkey looked just like a cat…almost.” (The refrain changes slightly with each disguise.) Unfortunately, the other animals always recognize Turkey and greet him with a pun. But the animals also compliment his valentine and help to create a pun for his next one. Sadly, the animals always know who the valentines are from, so Turkey decides to “gobble, gobble, give up!” Returning home to read his own valentines, Turkey has an idea, and he quickly creates a festive and delicious surprise for the Valentine’s dance. Readers will have to decide if Turkey has finally managed to surprise the other animals. Boldfaced puns within the story are easy to spot, and Turkey’s cards also feature puns along with adorable illustrations. Detailed watercolor and pencil illustrations bring to life a farm filled with loving friends and highlight Turkey’s clever and ever changing costumes. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
The spirit of Valentine’s Day shines bright in this caring community. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Dec. 13, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5420-2366-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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