Pussninks’ hijinks are enjoyable but undermined by the odd structure and strangely constructed illustrations.
A three-legged cat shows he’s even more capable of mischief than the other pets in his house in this good-humored, mostly rhyming debut from Lindsay, with illustrations by picture-book veteran Nacaytuna (Note Cards for Everyone from Tiny Hands, 2018, etc.).
With an image that shows the face of the orange-and-white tabby cat, the opening poem advises readers that they may find Pussninks to be different but encourages them to look through his eyes. Pussninks has only three legs, though the angle of the illustration de-emphasizes this. Throughout, Pussninks shows his energy and cleverness. He greets the postman, steals the dog’s food, snatches Grandad’s fish from the table, etc. Illustrations accompany each rhyming stanza; additional short, nonrhyming sentences and illustrations add extra details to the scenes but break up the rhythm of the text. Briticisms (the fellow cat and mouse are “quite cross”; Pussninks is described as “no different to any other cat”) will introduce young Americans to new phrasings. Newly independent readers may struggle with challenging vocabulary words (“impressed,” “admiration”) in the shorter sentences, which interrupt the poetry rather than compliment it. Nacaytuna’s pencil illustrations of the cat are lovely, but the flat digital backgrounds give a jarring contrast to the soft-textured fur. Finally, the subtle representation of Pussninks’ difference, which doesn’t hold him back one whit, is a welcome message. A photograph is included of the real cat that Pussninks is based on.
Pussninks’ hijinks are enjoyable but undermined by the odd structure and strangely constructed illustrations.Pub Date: April 24, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5434-8921-7
Page Count: 36
Publisher: XlibrisUK
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2018
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom.
Holy bedtime, Batman!
In a sleepy-looking neighborhood under a dusky cerulean sky, a young, brown-haired, white boy goes through the motions of getting ready for bed: he brushes his teeth, takes a bath, picks up his toys, and feeds his fish. In a parallel visual narrative, beckoned by the cat's-eye–yellow bat-signal, Batman keeps Gotham safe for another night by catching crooks, locking them away, and avenging those who have been wronged. Though the two characters are quite different, through a carefully flexible narrative, Dahl and Beavers weave a convincing tale of just how similar they might be. “It’s time to take care of business” describes the child’s trip to the potty and Batman’s dive down a manhole equally well, for instance. Beavers' art is visually striking and vibrantly hued, perfect for keeping young eyes glued to each page. Dahl's economical text is cadenced with a gentle lilt, just right for a bedtime read-aloud. Young fans of the caped crusader will delight in spying their favorite characters. In the already-overstuffed bedtime-book market, this is certainly a niche read, but it hits its mark well, delivering fun without darkness. A “bedtime checklist” at the end aptly includes “story time.”
This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom. (Picture book. 3-8)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-62370-732-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A nice but not requisite purchase.
A retelling of the classic fairy tale in board-book format and with a Mexican setting.
Though simplified for a younger audience, the text still relates the well-known tale: mean-spirited stepmother, spoiled stepsisters, overworked Cinderella, fairy godmother, glass slipper, charming prince, and, of course, happily-ever-after. What gives this book its flavor is the artwork. Within its Mexican setting, the characters are olive-skinned and dark-haired. Cultural references abound, as when a messenger comes carrying a banner announcing a “FIESTA” in beautiful papel picado. Cinderella is the picture of beauty, with her hair up in ribbons and flowers and her typically Mexican many-layered white dress. The companion volume, Snow White, set in Japan and illustrated by Misa Saburi, follows the same format. The simplified text tells the story of the beautiful princess sent to the forest by her wicked stepmother to be “done away with,” the dwarves that take her in, and, eventually, the happily-ever-after ending. Here too, what gives the book its flavor is the artwork. The characters wear traditional clothing, and the dwarves’ house has the requisite shoji screens, tatami mats and cherry blossoms in the garden. The puzzling question is, why the board-book presentation? Though the text is simplified, it’s still beyond the board-book audience, and the illustrations deserve full-size books.
A nice but not requisite purchase. (Board book/fairy tale. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-7915-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
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