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A VERY CRANKY CHRISTMAS

Name: A VERY CRANKY CHRISTMAS
Author: Phuc Tran
ISBN: 9780063256323

From the Cranky and Friends series

by Phuc Tran ; illustrated by Pete Oswald ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 15, 2026

An enjoyable Christmas tale that’s at its peak when it taps into its own emotional core.

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Stand aside, Grinch and Scrooge, and meet the new crab of Christmastime.

Last seen discovering the wonders of friendship in Cranky Makes a Friend (2025), everyone’s favorite disgruntled crane comes head-to-head with a new series of frustrations. It’s the day before Christmas, and all the vehicles are busy. Though readers will notice Cranky’s customary scowl, our hero starts the tale feeling fine. But Cranky’s mood begins to sour, and the out-of-sorts crane tries several times to confide in the others, only to be continually interrupted. After hanging lights, assisting Jacques Hammer with the “chug nog,” and untangling some ribbon, this crane is done. Petulant, Cranky heads to the gravel pile; when the others show up, Cranky finally opens up. The book’s occasional in-jokes are sometimes launched above young readers’ heads (as with a signed poster of a favorite singer, “Trailer Swift”). The final gag also doesn’t make a load of sense (yes, kids hate getting socks for Christmas, but why would a vehicle receive them?). Still, few young readers will fail to recognize the legitimacy of Cranky’s anger, as well as its talk-based solution. As with other books in the series, the story’s strength lies in its social and emotional learning connections, paired with art that pops with primary colors on every page.

An enjoyable Christmas tale that’s at its peak when it taps into its own emotional core. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2026

ISBN: 9780063256323

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2026

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
CRANKY VERSUS THE CAT
by Phuc Tran ; illustrated by Pete Oswald & Saba Joshaghani

- BOOK REVIEW
CRANKY MAKES A FRIEND
by Phuc Tran ; illustrated by Pete Oswald

- BOOK REVIEW
CRANKY
by Phuc Tran ; illustrated by Pete Oswald

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IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

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Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!

Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: March 31, 2026

ISBN: 9781454999621

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MONSTER AND PUPPET SHOW!
by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci ; illustrated by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PIGEON WON'T COUNT TO 10!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
WILL THE PIGEON GRADUATE?
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

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IT'S NOT EASY BEING A GHOST

From the It's Not Easy Being series

by Marilyn Sadler ; illustrated by Stephanie Laberis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 13, 2024

Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.

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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)