A magical celebration of curiosity and commitment.
A little cat discovers her inner dancer in this picture book by Once Upon A Dance.
In an alley in Pirouette Pines at night, Kit the cat finds her way into a mysterious building. As she moves through the space, which is decorated with dance posters, Kit meets a magical talking mirror who declares the feline a born dancer and begins to teach her ballet (“I thought there’d be more … twirling and tiaras,” Kit complains). Night after night, Kit returns for her lessons until finally the mirror declares she is ready to twirl. When Kit returns the next night, the mirror has disappeared. In its place: a mop and bucket. Kit begins to clean, and as she cleans, she dances; as she dances, other animals gather to watch. Kit vows to share what she’s learned and opens a dance school for all the residents of Pirouette Pines. Maris’ whimsical watercolor illustrations conjure the enchanted ambience of the moonlit purple night and the enigma of the abandoned dance studio. The narrative has a classic fairy-story feel, infusing Kit’s reality with the magical elements of the story. The prose has a musical quality and leans on the illustrations for elaboration—the hard work of rehearsing ballet fundamentals is expressed through a one-page montage showing Kit in various positions. The text includes illustrated and annotated ballet choreography, adding an interactive component for budding dancers.
A magical celebration of curiosity and commitment.Pub Date: May 1, 2025
ISBN: 9781955555975
Page Count: 33
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it.
What happens when a robot washes up alone on an island?
“Everything was just right on the island.” Brown beautifully re-creates the first days of Roz, the protagonist of his Wild Robot novels, as she adapts to living in the natural world. A storm-tossed ship, seen in the opening just before the title page, and a packing crate are the only other human-made objects to appear in this close-up look at the robot and her new home. Roz emerges from the crate, and her first thought as she sets off up a grassy hill—”This must be where I belong”—is sweetly glorious, a note of recognition rather than conquest. Roz learns to move, hide, and communicate like the creatures she meets. When she discovers an orphaned egg—and the gosling Brightbill, who eventually hatches—her decision to be his mother seems a natural extension of her adaptation. Once he flies south for the winter, her quiet wait across seasons for his return is a poignant portrayal of separation and change. Brown’s clean, precise lines and deep, light-filled colors offer a sense of what Roz might be seeing, suggesting a place that is alive yet deeply serene and radiant. Though the book stands alone, it adds an immensely appealing dimension to Roz’s world. Round thumbnails offer charming peeks into the island world, depicting Roz’s animal neighbors and Brightbill’s maturation.
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 24, 2025
ISBN: 9780316669467
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
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