A clever, new rhyming spin on the old moral about judging individuals by their appearances.
A misunderstood crocodile only wants lemonade but his sharp teeth keep scaring off the humans who could serve him some in this debut picture book.
All a friendly crocodile wants is some refreshing lemonade. He finds a lemonade stand, but the kids running it are so terrified, they flee in panic Still without lemonade, the crocodile drives to a fancy restaurant, where again he is feared because of his looks. Finally, at a burger joint, he orders lemonade from a distracted cashier. When the crocodile has a chance to save the day, the cashier realizes that there’s something good behind the reptile’s startling appearance. The moral of not judging people (or animals) by how they look is a familiar one, but this tale has an ingenious twist. Crocodiles are dangerous, after all—especially for a thief trying to rob a store serving lemonade. Ripley’s short phrases, consistent scansion and rhymes, and witty repeating phrases invite young readers to join in. The people who run from the reptile “see his pointy teeth / and not the crocodile” and decide that “getting eaten by a crocodile / does not sound very fun.” The author’s illustrations are reminiscent of social commentary cartoons with their exaggerated caricatures, which work well alongside the rhymes. Humans of several ages, sizes, and skin tones are depicted, and a gag about the young cashier who’s glued to his cellphone will make adult readers chuckle.
A clever, new rhyming spin on the old moral about judging individuals by their appearances.Pub Date: July 15, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5255-7459-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: FriesenPress
Review Posted Online: March 20, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Even the most bee-phobic readers will have a hard time resisting this swarm of humor and fact.
Following much the same format as in I’m Trying to Love Spiders (2015), Barton makes a strong case for the value of bees.
Edgar, a torpedo-shaped white kid with googly eyes and a scribble of hair, loves everything the narrator does, including dinosaurs, strawberries, and honey, but he’s not so sure about bees. The narrator proceeds to persuade him to “give bees a chance,” telling him there are “about 25,000 different kinds of bees to love” (a sampling of which are introduced on front and rear endpapers), describing the composition of a honeybee colony and honeybee anatomy, and regaling him with cool bee facts. Edgar’s still not sure, because, he says, “they’re all gonna sting me!” Since many readers likely share Edgar’s apprehension, Barton’s counter to this is delightfully kidcentric: “most bees lose their stinger after attacking,” she says, “which would be like your hand disappearing if you pinched your sister!” Edgar remains unconvinced, so Barton drills down on the importance of bee pollination to the world’s food supply, illustrating it with a strawberry plant that says, “throw me some pollen! I don’t have arms.” Barton’s digital mix of scribbly cartoons and comics-style panels, splashy, watercolor-effect backgrounds, and exuberant hand-lettering makes for a high-energy celebration of all things Apis.
Even the most bee-phobic readers will have a hard time resisting this swarm of humor and fact. (author’s note) (Informational picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 25, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-670-01694-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Feb. 13, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Another winner from Daywalt and Jeffers.
After celebrating Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, and other holidays, the Crayons come together to salute their dads.
Does your pop resemble Brown Crayon’s? He lovingly helps her learn new skills, and when he doesn’t know something, he’s game to “figure it out together.” Neon Red’s dad “always knows where he’s going” (though the accompanying image depicts him holding an upside-down map of Mt. Rushmore). Blue-Green has two dads (Blue and Green, naturally). Beige celebrates his tool-wielding, pot-stirring mom—his only parent. Pale Yellow’s dad is a literal calculator, so when she says she loves him “to the moon and back,” he generates, and appreciates, the exact figure. Orange and Yellow honor their grandpa, who uses a wheelchair, while Navy Blue loves his stepdad, who happens to be a remote control. Mauve’s dad knows that the right answer to every question is, “Better ask your mom.” Green is grateful for his whole blended family, three different but related verdant shades. Notably, this tale acknowledges that families all look different; no Crayon is left out, and everyone has the opportunity to show their caregivers “how much they’re loved on Father’s Day.” Jeffers’ clever, childlike art gives every character personality and verve.
Another winner from Daywalt and Jeffers. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2025
ISBN: 9780593624616
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
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