Humor, a dash of magic, and a wise, quirky, and relatable young hero.
In Lodge’s chapter book, a rule-breaking little princess’ magical discovery brings happiness and fun to her sad kingdom.
Six-year-old Princess Francesca Fusspot isn’t impressed by the fact that her ancestors left the Land of Gunk to settle in The Land of Perfect, a place absent of fun where even the flowers and bushes grow in clean straight rows and official rules prohibit laughter, messiness, noise, and not walking in regimented lines. Centuries after these rules were established, everyone—the townspeople and their monarchs, “King Soap and Queen Raindrop”—is still following them. Everyone, that is, except for Princess Francesca Fusspot. She defies regulations regularly by laughing and having fun, making friends with talking animals, not wearing gloves, and disliking itchy “princessy” dresses. She loves her parents, but they want her to be like everyone else in the kingdom, indulging in “no dancing, games, or any other sort of caterwauling” (there’s a continuity slip here, since Francesca’s mother said earlier that she would be expected to learn to waltz). Knowing that she’s “the only person in Fusspot history to disobey the Rules” makes Francesca feel “alone and slightly sick”—until she explores the “Forbidden Tower,” magically finds a kindred spirit, and comes up with a smart plan to change frowns into smiles. In this entertaining chapter book, elementary school–age readers are served off-the-wall fairy-tale elements, Ligon’s appealingly cartoony black-and-white and color illustrations, and a welcome message about how even one small person can make a difference. The author imbues the king and queen’s newfound appreciation for their daughter’s courage and wisdom with genuine warmth in a thoughtful contrast to the great deal of well-calibrated silliness that comes before (such as characters named for their jobs, which include Royal Door Slammers; the Royal Squeezer, who squeezes Queen Raindrop into her shoes; PinCushion, who dresses the Queen; and the Royal Screwball, whose job is to “swivel” the King around corners).
Humor, a dash of magic, and a wise, quirky, and relatable young hero.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: June 11, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story.
A home-renovation project is interrupted by a family of wrens, allowing a young girl an up-close glimpse of nature.
Renata and her father enjoy working on upgrading their bathroom, installing a clawfoot bathtub, and cutting a space for a new window. One warm night, after Papi leaves the window space open, two wrens begin making a nest in the bathroom. Rather than seeing it as an unfortunate delay of their project, Renata and Papi decide to let the avian carpenters continue their work. Renata witnesses the birth of four chicks as their rosy eggs split open “like coats that are suddenly too small.” Renata finds at a crucial moment that she can help the chicks learn to fly, even with the bittersweet knowledge that it will only hasten their exits from her life. Rosen uses lively language and well-chosen details to move the story of the baby birds forward. The text suggests the strong bond built by this Afro-Latinx father and daughter with their ongoing project without needing to point it out explicitly, a light touch in a picture book full of delicate, well-drawn moments and precise wording. Garoche’s drawings are impressively detailed, from the nest’s many small bits to the developing first feathers on the chicks and the wall smudges and exposed wiring of the renovation. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.)
Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: March 16, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-12320-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2021
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available.
A ghost learns to appreciate his differences.
The little ghost protagonist of this title is unusual. He’s a quilt, not a lightweight sheet like his parents and friends. He dislikes being different despite his mom’s reassurance that his ancestors also had unconventional appearances. Halloween makes the little ghost happy, though. He decides to watch trick-or-treaters by draping over a porch chair—but lands on a porch rail instead. A mom accompanying her daughter picks him up, wraps him around her chilly daughter, and brings him home with them! The family likes his looks and comforting warmth, and the little ghost immediately feels better about himself. As soon as he’s able to, he flies out through the chimney and muses happily that this adventure happened only due to his being a quilt. This odd but gently told story conveys the importance of self-respect and acceptance of one’s uniqueness. The delivery of this positive message has something of a heavy-handed feel and is rushed besides. It also isn’t entirely logical: The protagonist could have been a different type of covering; a blanket, for instance, might have enjoyed an identical experience. The soft, pleasing illustrations’ palette of tans, grays, white, black, some touches of color, and, occasionally, white text against black backgrounds suggest isolation, such as the ghost feels about himself. Most humans, including the trick-or-treating mom and daughter, have beige skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 66.2% of actual size.)
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7352-6447-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
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.
