A finny, funny foray that encourages inclusivity even when it comes to play.
by Nidhi Chanani ; illustrated by Nidhi Chanani ; color by Elizabeth Kramer ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 2022
Chanani’s latest graphic novel sees shark princesses of different species (and genders) having adventures in a sunken wreck.
Sporting an elaborate crown of shells and sea stars, slow-moving whale shark Kitana (the self-declared “first and only SHARK PRINCESS!”) rejects smaller but toothier chum Mack’s initial eager invitations to play games—but the prospect of exploring a wreck is a different matter. And when a sparkly golden crown turns up inside the hulk, it only makes sense to declare Mack a princess, too. Mack doesn’t think so, being, embarrassingly, allergic to the smell of blood and dead fish, but Kitana will have none of that: “Princesses can be allergic!” And when Mack still expresses doubts: “Our crowns. Our story.” So it is that the two chime “SHARK PRINCESSES!” with a tail slap and swim into a briefly dangerous—though entertaining and amusing—adventure (with more to come, Chanani promises). Kramer uses a rainbow palette of bright pastels to color the sequential seascapes, and a drawing lesson joins a “hide and sea” game and facts about whale sharks and shipwrecks to close.
A finny, funny foray that encourages inclusivity even when it comes to play. (Graphic novel. 7-9)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-46460-1
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
Share your opinion of this book
Did you like this book?
More In The Series
by Nidhi Chanani ; illustrated by Nidhi Chanani ; color by Elizabeth Kramer
More by Rob Kearney
BOOK REVIEW
by Rob Kearney & Eric Rosswood ; illustrated by Nidhi Chanani
BOOK REVIEW
by Nidhi Chanani ; illustrated by Nidhi Chanani
BOOK REVIEW
by Nidhi Chanani ; illustrated by Nidhi Chanani
by Suzy Kline ; illustrated by Amy Wummer ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 27, 2018
A long-running series reaches its closing chapters.
Having, as Kline notes in her warm valedictory acknowledgements, taken 30 years to get through second and third grade, Harry Spooger is overdue to move on—but not just into fourth grade, it turns out, as his family is moving to another town as soon as the school year ends. The news leaves his best friend, narrator “Dougo,” devastated…particularly as Harry doesn’t seem all that fussed about it. With series fans in mind, the author takes Harry through a sort of last-day-of-school farewell tour. From his desk he pulls a burned hot dog and other items that featured in past episodes, says goodbye to Song Lee and other classmates, and even (for the first time ever) leads Doug and readers into his house and memento-strewn room for further reminiscing. Of course, Harry isn’t as blasé about the move as he pretends, and eyes aren’t exactly dry when he departs. But hardly is he out of sight before Doug is meeting Mohammad, a new neighbor from Syria who (along with further diversifying a cast that began as mostly white but has become increasingly multiethnic over the years) will also be starting fourth grade at summer’s end, and planning a written account of his “horrible” buddy’s exploits. Finished illustrations not seen.
A fitting farewell, still funny, acute, and positive in its view of human nature even in its 37th episode. (Fiction. 7-9)Pub Date: Nov. 27, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-451-47963-1
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Sept. 17, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2018
Categories: CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES
Share your opinion of this book
Did you like this book?
More by Suzy Kline
BOOK REVIEW
by Suzy Kline & illustrated by Sami Sweeten
BOOK REVIEW
by Suzy Kline & illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
BOOK REVIEW
by Suzy Kline & illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
by Kwame Alexander & illustrated by Tim Bowers ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2011
Winning actually isn’t everything, as jazz-happy Rooster learns when he goes up against the legendary likes of Mules Davis and Ella Finchgerald at the barnyard talent show.
Having put together a band with renowned cousin Duck Ellington and singer “Bee” Holiday, Rooster’s chances sure look good—particularly after his “ ‘Hen from Ipanema’ [makes] / the barnyard chickies swoon.”—but in the end the competition is just too stiff. No matter: A compliment from cool Mules and the conviction that he still has the world’s best band soon puts the strut back in his stride. Alexander’s versifying isn’t always in tune (“So, he went to see his cousin, / a pianist of great fame…”), and despite his moniker Rooster plays an electric bass in Bower’s canted country scenes. Children are unlikely to get most of the jokes liberally sprinkled through the text, of course, so the adults sharing it with them should be ready to consult the backmatter, which consists of closing notes on jazz’s instruments, history and best-known musicians.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-58536-688-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: July 20, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2011
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS
Share your opinion of this book
Did you like this book?
More by Kwame Alexander
BOOK REVIEW
by Kwame Alexander ; illustrated by Dare Coulter
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
by Kwame Alexander ; illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile
© Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.