A charming read-aloud and a much-needed reminder that we all share the same path.
While digging a burrow, Mr. Hedgehog flings dirt onto the path shared by other animals.
When Rabbit sees the dirt blocking the way, he and his friend Mouse confront Hedgehog. “Who cares?” Hedgehog retorts. “This path isn’t mine. / I only care about my burrow— / warm and snug and fine.” Hedgehog threatens to prick them with his quills. Nevertheless, Rabbit and Mouse come to Hedgehog’s rescue when he nearly drowns during a fierce thunderstorm. Ashamed of his bad behavior, Hedgehog has learned a valuable lesson: “This path is not just mine— / it’s all of ours to share.” Translated from Hebrew, quatrains with an ABCB rhyme scheme read aloud easily, almost like nursery rhymes, but it’s the flat, colorful, naïve illustrations that stand out. The three animal characters are outlined in black or red, with scratchlike markings depicting their quills or furry skin. Intense blue skies, richly hued flowers, and deep-green grass have the vitality of tempera paint. The animals’ homes are cozy; boxes are marked for moving-in in Hedgehog’s new abode, and at Rabbit’s home, Hedgehog is offered tea and tissues. In the backmatter, Aluma notes that she was inspired by a Talmudic story, but the message is a universal one that will especially resonate in a world crying out for friendship and caring.
A charming read-aloud and a much-needed reminder that we all share the same path. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 12, 2024
ISBN: 9798986396576
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kalaniot Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 16, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2024
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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