Young people will readily respond to this skillful rendition of free-floating unhappiness—and to its satisfying antidote.
Can a kitten remain out of sorts when he’s double-teamed by a resourceful mama and a beloved friend?
It’s touch-and-go for most of the story as cranky Pavlo, clad in striped pajamas, rejects his mother’s suggestions about how they could spend the day. Not the park: “The swings are too swingy, the sandbox is too sandy, and…the slide is too SLIDEY!” Swimming is out, because “the water is too wet and…the fishies will nibble my toes!” The dark mood of the down-in-the-dumps, gray kitten is mitigated by Shaloshvili’s playful language and the light touch she employs as Pavlo imagines Mama’s proposed scenarios. Children will especially chuckle when Pavlo considers going to the movies; a dog, sitting next to a chicken, reaches over the seat to grab a handful of a distracted elephant’s popcorn. Despite the protagonist’s protests, the activities all look like great fun, and the softly textured acrylic, watercolor pencil, and digital illustrations create a cozy community of cheerful animals. After the grumpy youngster hears his friend Mila’s voice outside, he finally entertains Mama’s ideas; Mila’s hug helps even more, as does some ice cream. Featuring brilliantly rendered visuals with a tactile quality that will have readers eagerly poring over the pages, this clever tale captures the intensity of a youngster’s bad mood—and the speed with which it can transform into a good one.
Young people will readily respond to this skillful rendition of free-floating unhappiness—and to its satisfying antidote. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Sept. 24, 2024
ISBN: 9781536235548
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Sept. 28, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2024
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance.
A boy with wings learns to be himself and inspires others like him to soar, too.
Norman, a “perfectly normal” boy, never dreamed he might grow wings. Afraid of what his parents might say, he hides his new wings under a big, stuffy coat. Although the coat hides his wings from the world, Norman no longer finds joy in bathtime, playing at the park, swimming, or birthday parties. With the gentle encouragement of his parents, who see his sadness, Norman finds the courage to come out of hiding and soar. Percival (The Magic Looking Glass, 2017, etc.) depicts Norman with light skin and dark hair. Black-and-white illustrations show his father with dark skin and hair and his mother as white. The contrast of black-and-white illustrations with splashes of bright color complements the story’s theme. While Norman tries to be “normal,” the world and people around him look black and gray, but his coat stands out in yellow. Birds pop from the page in pink, green, and blue, emphasizing the joy and beauty of flying free. The final spread, full of bright color and multiracial children in flight, sets the mood for Norman’s realization on the last page that there is “no such thing as perfectly normal,” but he can be “perfectly Norman.”
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: May 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68119-785-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
A good choice for caregivers looking for a positive, uncomplicated introduction to a new baby that focuses on everything an...
A little boy exults in his new role as big brother.
Rhyming text describes the arrival of a new baby and all of the big brother’s rewarding new duties. He gets to help with feedings, diaper changes, playtime, bathtime, and naptime. Though the rhyming couplets can sometimes feel a bit forced and awkward, the sentiment is sweet, as the focus here never veers from the excitement and love a little boy feels for his tiny new sibling. The charming, uncluttered illustrations convincingly depict the growing bond between this fair-skinned, rosy-cheeked, smiling pair of boys. In the final pages, the parents, heretofore kept mostly out of view, are pictured holding the children. The accompanying text reads: “Mommy, Daddy, baby, me. / We love each other—a family!” In companion volume I Am a Big Sister, the little boy is replaced with a little girl with bows in her hair. Some of the colors and patterns in the illustrations are slightly altered, but it is essentially the same title.
A good choice for caregivers looking for a positive, uncomplicated introduction to a new baby that focuses on everything an older sibling can do to help. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-545-68886-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
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