Worth a look—and a head scratch or two.
Two dogs speculate about the unseen creature they hear in a tree—which is right?
A greyhound in a yellow-and-orange sweater hears a “rustle rustle” and stops to investigate. Noticing the larger dog staring at a tree, a French bulldog in a purple necktie asks, “What do you see?” The greyhound responds, matter-of-factly, “A turtle in a tree.” Baffled, the bulldog explains that such a thing would be “impossible” and then opines, “It must be a squirrel.” The two continue to debate, each presenting the other with evidence to support their claim. Soon, the friendly banter turns aggressive—and, consequently, the type grows larger with each page turn—as neither dog budges. Though the surprise ending resolves the mystery once and for all, an Australian shepherd arrives to start a similar conversation all over again. Hudson’s author/illustrator debut is a funny and insightful look at perspective-taking. Readers never see what the dogs see in the tree until the end, smartly inviting them to imagine alongside the characters. Silent bird side characters provide comedic relief throughout. The soft art—with spare but colorful details and plenty of white space—adds a dreamlike quality. Aside from a few sound effects, the narrative is conveyed through dialogue contained in color-coded speech bubbles. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 37% of actual size.)
Worth a look—and a head scratch or two. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 11, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-32331-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: March 30, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
A good choice for offering comfort and support to a budding perfectionist.
Can anyone be perfect?
Beatrice Bottomwell always does everything right. “Most people in town didn’t even know Beatrice’s name. They just called her ‘The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes,’ because for as long as anyone could remember, she never did.” One Thursday though, she almost does something wrong (she drops some eggs while cooking at school but catches them just in time). Straightforward text describes Beatrice’s predicament as, unnerved, she ponders her almost-error and begins to worry. What if she really does do something wrong? Brightly colored watercolors and gentle humor combine to portray Beatrice’s eventful day, her growing fear and her sprightly pet hamster. During a school talent show, Beatrice finally makes a real mistake—in front of everyone. How will she cope? Learning how to relax enough to laugh and simply be herself just might do the trick. While the plot is predictable and the solution to the problem fairly pat, this is a well-intentioned story, full of acceptance and goodwill. It will be especially useful in a therapeutic setting; it may be a real comfort to a child who is afraid of making mistakes, while children dealing with similar issues will also find reassurance here.
A good choice for offering comfort and support to a budding perfectionist. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4022-5544-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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