A charming traditional fable with a mixed takeaway about self-reliance.
A matchmaking swan finds a mate only after he has realized his own mission gives him self-worth in this original fable.
The animals of Meadow Fields are excited about the big dance to celebrate the birth of peachicks. But while almost all the animals have a partner, one stands alone: Cob Cobblepot, the swan matchmaker. Wanting to help their lonely matchmaker find a mate, the animals all suggest possibilities. Grumpy Frog introduces Cob to a fly, and Mrs. Field Mouse sets him up on a blind date with a crepuscular animal. Cob tries speed dating, online dating, and local meetups—all to no avail. Finally, Cob realizes he is happy to be part of others’ stories. As he looks at the other animal couples, “his heart was filled with joy that he had played the part as an agent to their unions.” The constellation Cygnus rewards Cob’s good heart with a perfect match, formed from a star. The moral here—appreciating one’s own self-worth is more important than finding a romantic partner—is eclipsed by this particular happy ending, but the fairy-tale nature of the story shines through, making it feel at once fresh and familiar. Debut author Law’s language is similarly old-fashioned, evoking the tone of classic tales with challenging vocabulary words for newly independent readers (celestial, simultaneously). For much of the book, the digital illustrations take on a muted hue, with characters that mix some human traits and animal bodies, but the designs are inconsistent, and the lack of clear linework leads characters to blend in with their backgrounds.
A charming traditional fable with a mixed takeaway about self-reliance.Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2022
ISBN: 9780578283098
Page Count: 42
Publisher: Peabody Law Publishing
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A flavorful call to action sure to spur young introverts.
In this latest slice in the Food Group series, Humble Pie learns to stand up to a busy friend who’s taking advantage of his pal’s hard work on the sidelines.
Jake the Cake and Humble Pie are good friends. Where Pie is content to toil in the background, Jake happily shines in the spotlight. Alert readers will notice that Pie’s always right there, too, getting A-pluses and skiing expertly just behind—while also doing the support work that keeps every school and social project humming. “Fact: Nobody notices pie when there’s cake nearby!” When the two friends pair up for a science project, things begin well. But when the overcommitted Jake makes excuse after excuse, showing up late or not at all, a panicked Pie realizes that they won’t finish in time. When Jake finally shows up on the night before the project’s due, Pie courageously confronts him. “And for once, I wasn’t going to sugarcoat it.” The friends talk it out and collaborate through the night for the project’s successful presentation in class the next day. John and Oswald’s winning recipe—plentiful puns and delightful visual jokes—has yielded another treat here. The narration does skew didactic as it wraps up: “There’s nothing wrong with having a tough conversation, asking for help, or making sure you’re being treated fairly.” But it’s all good fun, in service of some gentle lessons about social-emotional development.
A flavorful call to action sure to spur young introverts. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2025
ISBN: 9780063469730
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2025
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A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
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