There’s not much to Papillon’s sophomore outing, but little feline fans will definitely want to float along.
Lighter-than-air Papillon has some tummy trouble.
Papillon is such a fluffy kitty he can float like a cloud. He and his little red bird friend like to play with balls of yarn, and they like to practice kung fu kicks in the air; but their favorite game is catch the (toy) mouse. One day, while playing, something goes horribly wrong: Papillon swallows the toy. It gives him the hiccups…and it also makes him sink to the ground. Miss Tilly rushes him in her bicycle basket to the vet, where an X-ray reveals the problem, and Papillon has to stay overnight. There are many pretty and talented pusses at the vet. Papillon feels that he is neither and starts crying…which makes his hiccups worse. Out pops the offending mouse, enabling Papillon to impress all the other cats with his talents, and he makes new friends. Best of all, he gets to go home—where he keeps his mouth shut while playing catch. Kang’s fantastically fluffy feline returns for another weightless tale. The watercolor, pen, and pencil illustrations float with Papillon across the pages. The pastel palette is perfect, and Papillon’s expressions are priceless.
There’s not much to Papillon’s sophomore outing, but little feline fans will definitely want to float along. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4847-2881-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: July 16, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2017
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it.
What happens when a robot washes up alone on an island?
“Everything was just right on the island.” Brown beautifully re-creates the first days of Roz, the protagonist of his Wild Robot novels, as she adapts to living in the natural world. A storm-tossed ship, seen in the opening just before the title page, and a packing crate are the only other human-made objects to appear in this close-up look at the robot and her new home. Roz emerges from the crate, and her first thought as she sets off up a grassy hill—”This must be where I belong”—is sweetly glorious, a note of recognition rather than conquest. Roz learns to move, hide, and communicate like the creatures she meets. When she discovers an orphaned egg—and the gosling Brightbill, who eventually hatches—her decision to be his mother seems a natural extension of her adaptation. Once he flies south for the winter, her quiet wait across seasons for his return is a poignant portrayal of separation and change. Brown’s clean, precise lines and deep, light-filled colors offer a sense of what Roz might be seeing, suggesting a place that is alive yet deeply serene and radiant. Though the book stands alone, it adds an immensely appealing dimension to Roz’s world. Round thumbnails offer charming peeks into the island world, depicting Roz’s animal neighbors and Brightbill’s maturation.
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 24, 2025
ISBN: 9780316669467
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle...
Making things is difficult work. Readers will recognize the stages of this young heroine’s experience as she struggles to realize her vision.
First comes anticipation. The artist/engineer is spotted jauntily pulling a wagonload of junkyard treasures. Accompanied by her trusty canine companion, she begins drawing plans and building an assemblage. The narration has a breezy tone: “[S]he makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” The colorful caricatures and creations contrast with the digital black outlines on a white background that depict an urban neighborhood. Intermittent blue-gray panels break up the white expanses on selected pages showing sequential actions. When the first piece doesn’t turn out as desired, the protagonist tries again, hoping to achieve magnificence. A model of persistence, she tries many adjustments; the vocabulary alone offers constructive behaviors: she “tinkers,” “wrenches,” “fiddles,” “examines,” “stares” and “tweaks.” Such hard work, however, combines with disappointing results, eventually leading to frustration, anger and injury. Explosive emotions are followed by defeat, portrayed with a small font and scaled-down figures. When the dog, whose expressions have humorously mirrored his owner’s through each phase, retrieves his leash, the resulting stroll serves them well. A fresh perspective brings renewed enthusiasm and—spoiler alert—a most magnificent scooter sidecar for a loyal assistant.
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle characterization for maximum delight. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-55453-704-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014
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