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
Extremely simple and rather sweet.
Bulldozer is worried about what to give his friends for Christmas.
On Christmas Eve, Dump Truck is carrying, Digger Truck is stringing, and Crane Truck is lifting—all in service of decorating for Christmas. But Bulldozer is on the side, surrounded by cats, worrying. He has not a single gift for his friends. What can he do? He sees a tire half buried in the snow and wonders what other treasures might be there. He starts to dig, and he hits something…but it turns out to be junk. He keeps on digging and finds something else: “more junk.” He keeps digging and digging. The piles grow larger, the sky gets darker, and Bulldozer’s hope fades. But then he thinks he sees something through the snow. He pokes the pile of junk this way and that. He adds bits and pieces. As his friends call out to him that it’s quitting time, Bulldozer puts last touches on his gift. He moves aside to reveal his creation to his friends, and all are pleased with the gift. The little yellow Bulldozer with his entourage of animal friends is a likable character whose plight children will relate to and whose noncommercial solution is a model for creative youngsters to take as inspiration. Best for wrapping a message of giving within a truck-loving package full of sound effects. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Extremely simple and rather sweet. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 21, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5344-3820-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Caitlyn Dlouhy/Atheneum
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2021
In his first outing as an author, Campbell shines.
A feel-good ride, full of droll artistic asides and an abundance of caring.
A little boy calls himself the Hug Machine. He is a squat little guy, with an oblong head and arms that would surely drag on the floor if he ever put them down. But that just means they are perfect for hugging. The Hug Machine wraps his arms around his family, neighbors, everyone he meets. He also hugs things that are hard (a rock), big (a bear), square (an ice cream truck) and spiky (a porcupine—while wearing adequate protection, of course). No one can resist his unbelievable hugging! Admittedly, the Hug Machine can look a tad forbidding while looking for his next cuddle recipient; his large eyes pop, and his arms stretch wide. But as soon as the hug starts, his face relaxes into a serene calm. With each hug, Campbell depicts him hilariously perched in the same position, as if he were perfectly inserted exactly where he should be. Unadorned, hand-lettered text and deliberately muted watercolors increase the warmth of this adorable little fellow. The story rests on a simple string of hugs and one plucky little hero doing his part to make the world a better place.
In his first outing as an author, Campbell shines. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 26, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4424-5935-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: May 11, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014
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