Simple but effective.
A young girl nurtures nature in spite of her surroundings.
Amid towering buildings and next to a lone metallic tree, a robot posts a sign stating “More city coming soon.” In Rou’s steampunk-y city, children compete in an annual footrace for the chance to pluck and keep a rare bloom. Rou is determined to win and present it to her grandmother, who remembers the time when flowers were abundant, before the Power People hoarded them for themselves. During the chaotic race the precious flower is trampled. Rou rescues the sprout and, the following year, creates her own floral tradition in the spirit of sharing. Throughout the book, the dusty rose-colored clothing of Rou and her grandmother echo the vivacity of the blooming flowers and warmly contrast against the stark, lifeless gray of the city landscape. Soft edges and shading, as well as playful details such as Rou’s one-eyed, egg-shaped robot, also lighten the emotional tone. This cautionary tale about urban overdevelopment and inequity also highlights how Rou is empowered through her generosity. Rou has pale peach skin, two black pigtails, and dark brown eyes while Grandma has pale peach skin, gray hair, and curved brown slits beneath her glasses. There is some diversity among the other city dwellers, but most are pale-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 30% of actual size.)
Simple but effective. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4788-6952-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Reycraft Books
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A good choice for offering comfort and support to a budding perfectionist.
Can anyone be perfect?
Beatrice Bottomwell always does everything right. “Most people in town didn’t even know Beatrice’s name. They just called her ‘The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes,’ because for as long as anyone could remember, she never did.” One Thursday though, she almost does something wrong (she drops some eggs while cooking at school but catches them just in time). Straightforward text describes Beatrice’s predicament as, unnerved, she ponders her almost-error and begins to worry. What if she really does do something wrong? Brightly colored watercolors and gentle humor combine to portray Beatrice’s eventful day, her growing fear and her sprightly pet hamster. During a school talent show, Beatrice finally makes a real mistake—in front of everyone. How will she cope? Learning how to relax enough to laugh and simply be herself just might do the trick. While the plot is predictable and the solution to the problem fairly pat, this is a well-intentioned story, full of acceptance and goodwill. It will be especially useful in a therapeutic setting; it may be a real comfort to a child who is afraid of making mistakes, while children dealing with similar issues will also find reassurance here.
A good choice for offering comfort and support to a budding perfectionist. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4022-5544-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2011
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