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THE KOALA WHO COULD

Sure to become a read-aloud favorite.

Feeling safe and comfortable in his tree, Kevin the koala resists the invitation to come down and have fun.

Despite encouragement from a wombat, the roos, and the dingoes, the uncertainty of what might happen below is too much for Kevin to overcome. So he refuses and makes excuses. Later, while watching the others share in a bonfire singalong, he briefly considers joining then rationalizes, “But he knew he’d miss home / …it was dark and SO late. / The whole thing was risky. / Adventure could wait.” Until a woodpecker comes along: “TAP TAPPITY TAP TAP TAP TAP OH NO!” The woodpecker’s destruction creates a break in Kevin’s tree, causing it to come crashing down even as his friends plead with him to “UN-CLING!” and “Leap and we’ll catch you! / Just let yourself go!” Field’s expressive and humorous Australian-animal caricatures vividly extend the nicely paced rhyming narrative’s message. Kevin’s worried, nervous frowns are paralleled with happy, cheering smiles of his Down Under buddies. The climactic scene’s clattering smash, with Kevin’s possessions flying while he clutches, eyes squeezed shut, his branch, brings the story to a sudden thundering pause. The next page shows everyone’s surprised wide-eyed relief and love for Kevin, who has survived his worst fear and will now be willing and able to try new things.

Sure to become a read-aloud favorite. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Oct. 31, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-338-13908-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Scholastic

Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2017

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LOUD MOUSE

A muddled message shoots for the moon but never quite gets all the way off the ground.

A little mouse experiences BIG changes thanks to a spectacular talent.

Dee’s a singer to her core. She croons absolutely everywhere, so when her teacher Miss Pink suggests that her students bring in something that symbolizes what they enjoy doing, Dee brings in a song. As she sings it, however, her joy causes her to physically grow huge! At first this makes her feel special, but as the day goes on she feels lonely and out of place. Shrinking back to her normal size, she worries that this means she can never sing again. But thanks to the encouragement of her mother and little sister, she realizes that being special is nothing to be ashamed of. However, though her classmates have skills of their own, only Dee changes, indicating that some talents are more transformative than others. After all, while everyone is enthralled by Dee, Ren the turtle’s talent for drawing a replica of a space station is something he “made everyone watch.” The true standout in this show comes from Sinquett’s dynamic art, capable of encompassing the emotional highs and lows of elementary school kids. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A muddled message shoots for the moon but never quite gets all the way off the ground. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 27, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-368-07806-1

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Review Posted Online: May 24, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2022

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FINDING KINDNESS

Simple acts of kindness that warm the heart.

“Kindness is sometimes / a cup and a card.” Wait! What?

Yes, kindness is a cup and a card—when someone uses them to gently trap a ladybug inside and release it outside. With a simple rhyming text and softly colored illustrations of community scenes, each page shows neighbors, professionals, and strangers modeling simple acts of kindness toward people and animals. A child rakes leaves for an older neighbor, another brings soup to someone who is “sneezy,” and one even shares a book via a clever bucket delivery system. As neighboring businesses, a flower seller swaps a bouquet for peaches with a grocer. A fireman rescues a cat from a tree, park security helps a lost child, and an ice cream vendor gives a cone to a young skater who has fallen. Even strangers act with kindness and return a dropped key, snap a picture for a vacationing family, and adopt a dog that “others ignore.” From infants to grandparents, people in this busy and diverse community come together to enjoy one another and their common interests. Illustrations show a girl wearing a hijab, a child in a wheelchair playing badminton with friends, and interracial families.

Simple acts of kindness that warm the heart. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Oct. 29, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-250-23789-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Godwin Books

Review Posted Online: June 29, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2019

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