Multiples and singletons alike will appreciate Anny’s and Allie’s nuanced identities.
Problem-solving, twins style.
The illustrator of the Rotten Ralph series, the author of Twice as Nice: What It’s Like to Be a Twin (2004), and an identical twin herself, Rubel combines these facets of her creative and personal lives in this picture book that spotlights a common identical-twin dilemma: when people can’t tell you apart. In an anthropomorphized animal world, Anny and Allie are identical-twin alligator sisters. At school, Allie mischievously ruins Anny’s painting, and their teacher, Mr. Bear, mistakenly reprimands the wrong twin. That night, their mom mistakenly reminds the wrong twin to brush her teeth. Frustrated, the girls brainstorm creative ways to make themselves distinguishable to others. They try individualized hair bows (they have no visible hair), different shoes, and nametags, but gentle amusement ensues when the hair bows flop, rain forces them to wear the same galoshes, and their nametags fall off at recess. They find the solution when Mr. Bear sets out alphabet beads that can be turned into name necklaces. In the bright and energetic digital illustrations, the book celebrates Anny’s and Allie’s individuality as Anny, under her pink, heart-shaped quilt, dreams of being a rock star, and Allie, in her pea-green sleeping bag, dreams of flying to Mars. But when their classmates finally notice their differences, the twins also relish the parts they have in common.
Multiples and singletons alike will appreciate Anny’s and Allie’s nuanced identities. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-64279-096-2
Page Count: 38
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing
Review Posted Online: Nov. 11, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An Otto-rly successful modern Christmas story.
A glitzy ornament searches for a tree worthy of him but finds his real place where he least expects it.
“Merry Christmas, bulbs and baubles! I’m Otto! I’m here to bedeck the heck out of your tree!” And “bedeck the heck” he tries! When Otto is told there’s space for him in the middle of the tree, he scoffs—only the top will do for an ornament like him. After he mocks his fellow ornaments, they refuse to make room for him, so he heads out to look for a new place to shine. He takes a scarring tumble down into the sewer, where he encounters an unlikely precious item. Returning with his find, Otto no longer sparkles but still manages to shine at home on the tree. This is a well-paced, appealing tale that will make for a great preschool read-aloud come December. Arrogant Otto has a satisfying redemptive arc that will resonate with readers. The dialogue and wordplay are pitch-perfect, bringing the characters to life. A mix of cartoonish vignettes and full-page spreads effectively depicts action and movement. Otto is multicolored and patterned with big eyes and a winning grin; the other ornaments on the tree also have personalities that match their styles. The few humans who appear are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An Otto-rly successful modern Christmas story. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9780593481202
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Aug. 15, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2023
Although far from unique, this gambol allows parents and children room to talk about seasonal weather and activities.
The delights of snow-day snow-play in a small town are enumerated in this early concept book for tots.
Snow falls overnight. In early morning, one puppy barks and two small children wake up. All three smile as they look out the window onto the snow-covered grass. Rhyming text sets a gentle pace as they venture outside: The humans pull on four boots, then the trio pulls their sled past five pine trees. In this childcentric tale (no adults in sight), they are soon joined by a diverse cast of six friends eager to sled, make snow angels, and build snowmen. (The two protagonist children have light-brown skin and straight, blue hair.) The spelled-out numbers appear in large colorful type, but numerals are not included—a lapse. Blue and white dominate the wintry palette, and the white landscape gives readers’ eyes plenty of space to focus on the items named and counted. A cozy feel is created by a series of soft, rounded shapes: puppy’s bed, children’s heads, snowballs, and pond. As the activities wind down, readers begin to count backward until the three are home again. The siblings enjoy two cups of cocoa and one puppy starts to doze.
Although far from unique, this gambol allows parents and children room to talk about seasonal weather and activities. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4926-4586-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: July 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2018
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