THE HAPPIEST LION CUB

Name: THE HAPPIEST LION CUB
Author: Oleksandr Shatokhin
ISBN: 978-1-63655-038-1

by Oleksandr Shatokhin ; illustrated by Oleksandr Shatokhin ; translated by Zenia Tompkins ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 2022

Positive, uplifting, and unique.

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Must a lion prince abandon his love of music to fulfill his destiny?

The cub scandalizes the other animals—not to mention his father—with his musical ambitions. After all, “a REAL lion ought to hunt. And also roar LOUDLY and EXPRESSIVELY!” The lion’s father shoots down his son’s dreams, compiling a list of what a “real” lion should do (in addition to being “honest,” “brave,” and “serious,” real lions “maintain a regal silence” and “observe carefully”). The cub, dejected, walks off in the rain, playing his instrument (“Oh, how sad it is when no one UNDERSTANDS you”). A turning point comes when the lion’s music helps rescue a fox pup; lost in the underbrush, the fox hears the swells of music and rushes out. At last, the lion’s father realizes that his son can be both a musician and a great leader. Loosely drawn, light-infused images with a slightly retro feel show animals typical to the African savanna—an elephant, a zebra, a giraffe, and gazelles. The lions walk upright but are clearly identified by their orange coats and spiky manes. Both text and artwork are playful (the list of virtues that the father creates will induce giggles), bringing whimsy to a familiar story. While the message is evident, the story is choice-affirming rather than pedantic. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Positive, uplifting, and unique. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-63655-038-1

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Red Comet Press

Review Posted Online: May 24, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
YELLOW BUTTERFLY
by Oleksandr Shatokhin ; illustrated by Oleksandr Shatokhin

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ADDIE ANT GOES ON AN ADVENTURE

by Maren Morris & Karina Argow ; illustrated by Kelly Anne Dalton ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 9, 2024

Young readers will be “antsy” to join the hero on her satisfying escapade.

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An ant explores her world.

Addie Ant’s ready for adventure. Despite some trepidation about leaving the Tomato Bed, where she lives with her aunt, she plucks up her courage and ventures forth across the garden to the far side of the shed. On her journey, she meets her pal Lewis Ladybug, who greets her warmly, points the way, and offers sage advice. When Addie arrives at her destination, she’s welcomed by lovely Beatrix Butterfly and enjoys an “ant-tastic” helping of watermelon. Beatrix also provides Addie with take-home treats and a map for the “Cricket Express,” which will take her straight home. Arriving at the terminal, Addie’s delighted to meet another friend, Cleo Cricket, whose carriage service returns Addie home in “two hops.” After eating a warm tomato soup dinner, Addie falls asleep and dreams of future exploits. Adorable though not terribly original, this story brims with sensuous pleasures, both textual and visual. Kids who declare that they dislike fruits or veggies may find their mouths watering at the mentions and sights of luscious tomatoes, peas, beans, watermelons, berries, and other foodstuffs; insect-averse readers may likewise think differently after encountering these convivial, wide-eyed characters. And those flowers and herbs everywhere! The highlights are the colors that burst from the pages. Addie’s an endearing, empowering character who reassures children they’ll be able to take those first independent steps successfully.

Young readers will be “antsy” to join the hero on her satisfying escapade. (author’s note about ants) (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: April 9, 2024

ISBN: 9781797228914

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2024

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

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ON THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN

by Tish Rabe ; illustrated by Laura Hughes ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 21, 2016

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of...

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Rabe follows a young girl through her first 12 days of kindergarten in this book based on the familiar Christmas carol.

The typical firsts of school are here: riding the bus, making friends, sliding on the playground slide, counting, sorting shapes, laughing at lunch, painting, singing, reading, running, jumping rope, and going on a field trip. While the days are given ordinal numbers, the song skips the cardinal numbers in the verses, and the rhythm is sometimes off: “On the second day of kindergarten / I thought it was so cool / making lots of friends / and riding the bus to my school!” The narrator is a white brunette who wears either a tunic or a dress each day, making her pretty easy to differentiate from her classmates, a nice mix in terms of race; two students even sport glasses. The children in the ink, paint, and collage digital spreads show a variety of emotions, but most are happy to be at school, and the surroundings will be familiar to those who have made an orientation visit to their own schools.

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of Kindergarten (2003), it basically gets the job done. (Picture book. 4-7)