Warm as a feathered hug.
A chilly bird with tropical seas on the brain sets out to find some warmth.
Children’s books love to tap into the sensation of feeling different from the pack. Milo is no exception. One day the little penguin wakes up and realizes that he is, in fact, quite cold. He also realizes that he is alone in this feeling, as seemingly every other penguin thoroughly enjoys the ice and the snow. After Milo balks at the prospect of diving into the freezing sea, a friendly whale offers to take him somewhere new. The game little penguin hitches a ride and, on a tropical island, is delighted to find a flock of friendly birds. Upon leaving, he is presented with a scarf of warm feathers, a gift he shares with another cold little penguin back home. The story of finding your community and then returning to find others like you has a timely feel. The true lure of the book, however, comes in Giordano’s geometric art style. Penguins are little more than circles and rectangles, artfully constructed to resemble birds. The whale is all curves, while a tortoise sports triangles on their shell. From the multicolored splendor of the island to the black and white of the Antarctic to the brilliant blue of the sea, the storyline and the accompanying images are suffused with comfort. Backmatter provides further info on penguins and penguin life. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Warm as a feathered hug. (penguin facts) (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-7353115-1-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Tra Publishing
Review Posted Online: Aug. 25, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2022
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance.
A boy with wings learns to be himself and inspires others like him to soar, too.
Norman, a “perfectly normal” boy, never dreamed he might grow wings. Afraid of what his parents might say, he hides his new wings under a big, stuffy coat. Although the coat hides his wings from the world, Norman no longer finds joy in bathtime, playing at the park, swimming, or birthday parties. With the gentle encouragement of his parents, who see his sadness, Norman finds the courage to come out of hiding and soar. Percival (The Magic Looking Glass, 2017, etc.) depicts Norman with light skin and dark hair. Black-and-white illustrations show his father with dark skin and hair and his mother as white. The contrast of black-and-white illustrations with splashes of bright color complements the story’s theme. While Norman tries to be “normal,” the world and people around him look black and gray, but his coat stands out in yellow. Birds pop from the page in pink, green, and blue, emphasizing the joy and beauty of flying free. The final spread, full of bright color and multiracial children in flight, sets the mood for Norman’s realization on the last page that there is “no such thing as perfectly normal,” but he can be “perfectly Norman.”
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: May 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68119-785-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.
A dog-loving child encourages a less-than-enthusiastic younger one to imagine they’re both canines.
From the first declaration—“I’d be a big dog! And you’d be a little one!”—readers know who’s calling the shots. Initially, the protagonists cavort off the page and through the neighborhood together, performing doggy capers such as tail wagging, stick carrying, and dirt digging. But by the time they encounter a multitude of like-minded creatures at the dog park, the disgruntled small pup is exhibiting out-and-out rebellion: “Being a dog is YOUR idea! Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!” The narrative wraps up with the younger child pretending to be a different animal entirely—cleverly foreshadowed through subtle details in the illustrations. Even the endpapers—lively silhouettes of dogs in the beginning and many different animals in closing—extend the theme to suggest the imaginative possibilities of pretend play. Cheerful, lightly hued colors fit the whimsical mood, while expressive body language allows the art to tell the story with a minimum of words. Ending on a surprising note, with a sweet compromise between the two main characters, the tale gives both kids the freedom to embrace their own preferences and styles—while still enjoying their game.
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9780316581721
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
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