by Raúl the Third ; illustrated by Raúl the Third with color by Elaine Bay ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 20, 2022
A visual feast that packs a punch.
Find out how El Toro and his friends became “¡un equipo maravilloso!”
The ragtag team of luchadores first meet as rambunctious kids—untrained and unfocused—heading to Ricky Ratón’s School of Lucha for one purpose: “to learn how to WRESTLE!” Under the tutelage of the muscular Ricky Ratón and his chicken sidekick, the real training for El Toro and his friends begins. The luchadores-in-training learn many, many skills, including acrobatics, discipline, and patience. Best of all, they each hone “their very own special move!” In a series of humorous panels that mimic a training montage, readers see the cast of anthropomorphized animals in action, with zany moves that seem to bounce off the page. Unitalicized words and phrases in Spanish pop up among the predominantly English text to echo certain lines and action words, providing translations that slip in with ease. After the stupendous training, a proud Ricky Ratón reveals one final surprise test: The young luchadores must beat their maestro in a battle. One by one, El Toro and his friends lose against their powerful teacher until the luchadores-in-training realize that teaming up brings its own rewards. Author/illustrator Raúl the Third and colorist Bay’s latest retains the series’ use of short, punchy sentences, kaleidoscopic artwork, and comic book–style panels and speech bubbles; this one is sure to be a can’t-miss read-aloud. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A visual feast that packs a punch. (Early reader. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 20, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-358-39471-6
Page Count: 56
Publisher: Versify/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: July 12, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2022
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by Jason Reynolds ; illustrated by Raúl the Third
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by David Bowles ; illustrated by Raúl the Third & Stacey Robinson & Damian Duffy
by Valeri Gorbachev ; illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2016
An early reader that kids will want to befriend.
In an odd-couple pairing of Bear and Chipmunk, only one friend is truly happy to spend the day at the beach.
“Not me!” is poor Chipmunk’s lament each time Bear expresses the pleasure he takes in sunning, swimming, and other activities at the beach. While controlled, repetitive text makes the story accessible to new readers, slapstick humor characterizes the busy watercolor-and-ink illustrations and adds interest. Poor Chipmunk is pinched by a crab, buried in sand, and swept upside down into the water, to name just a few mishaps. Although other animal beachgoers seem to notice Chipmunk’s distress, Bear cheerily goes about his day and seems blithely ignorant of his friend’s misfortunes. The playful tone of the illustrations helps soften the dynamic so that it doesn’t seem as though Chipmunk is in grave danger or that Bear is cruel. As they leave at the end of the book Bear finally asks, “Why did you come?” and Chipmunk’s sweet response caps off the day with a warm sunset in the background.
An early reader that kids will want to befriend. (Early reader. 5-7)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3546-3
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 7, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2015
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by Valeri Gorbachev ; illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev
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by Valeri Gorbachev ; illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev
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by Valeri Gorbachev ; illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev
by Stephen Curry ; illustrated by Geneva Bowers ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 6, 2022
A positive boost from a strong role model.
NBA legend Curry draws from his own childhood experiences to tell the story of an aspiring basketball player with a hidden ability.
Eight-year-old Hughes isn’t going to tell everyone what his superpower is—he’s going to show them, and he wants to teach readers how to use theirs, too. On his way to the basketball court, Hughes discusses how he discovered his power: First, his mom told him about it, and then his coach told him, too. Dressed in his tank top and shorts, Hughes arrives at the basketball court ready for action. He watches the tallest kids and the fastest kids get picked first for teams. But Hughes’ superpower isn’t one that he was born with, nor is it one that he picked up quickly—it took months of practice. His is a power that can be applied to any passion: his heart. Bowers’ energetic, cartoonlike illustrations work well with the comic-style narration: A Black television announcer on a screen appears on each page, prompting Hughes to share his story, which appears in speech bubbles. This dual narration makes for a dynamic presentation of the overt message, which many children need to hear. A diverse cast of characters surround Hughes, who is brown-skinned (one of his parents presents Black; the other is tan-skinned). Curry appears on the final spread, telling readers that he didn’t let discouraging comments stop him from playing the game that he loves. He invites readers to go back through the book and find a list of his favorite things hidden in the images throughout. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A positive boost from a strong role model. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-38604-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: July 12, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2022
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by Stephen Curry ; illustrated by Geneva Bowers
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