by Pam Webb ; illustrated by Wendy Leach ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 7, 2020
Captures the eager anticipation of reunions with loving grandparents
Today’s energetic, active grandparents and their young grandchildren can anticipate a lively extended visit filled with engagingly fun pursuits.
A pair of loving grandparents prompt their two grandchildren to think about all the things they will do together the next time the kids visit. “SOMEDAY / we’ll take a walk in the park / and wave to the ducks paddling in the pond.” Thin-lined, colorful drawings feature a vibrant couple—a balding grandfather and a grandmother with short graying hair—in youthful poses during warm summery outings with their kids (all family members present white). They ride bikes, garden, swim, picnic, draw with sidewalk chalk, fly kites, blow bubbles, read books together, and eventually share a living-room movie night with popcorn. After this litany of “someday”s, a double-page spread reveals grandparents on verso reading a letter from the kids and the kids on recto marking X’s on a calendar. Finally, “SOMEDAY… / SOMEDAY… // SOMEDAY IS HERE!” Grandparents and kids greet one another with hugs and smiles. While long-distance relationships can be a bit difficult to maintain even with the possibilities of today’s technology, this will surely encourage good strategic discussion to quell the impatience of waiting for the next welcoming stay at a grandparent’s home.
Captures the eager anticipation of reunions with loving grandparents . (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: April 7, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5064-5400-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Beaming Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
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by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2020
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
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by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.
Another creature is on the loose.
The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728274300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
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by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton
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