This sweet comic marks the beginning of a beautiful, blossoming friendship.
A bird and a spider become springtime companions.
Bird leaves home and strikes out alone to find a tree, build a nest, sing a song, and make a friend—tasks listed on a loving note from Mom. Bird quickly finds the tree, a gorgeous creation blossoming profusely with pink flowers, afforded its own double-page spread so readers can marvel alongside the small blue chick settling on its branches. Time to build that nest! Bird opens a suitcase, and scraps spray out everywhere (“Perfect,” concludes our hero). When Bird discordantly squawks a friendship song, a spider appears. At first, both creatures are mutually skeptical at the prospect of becoming pals—some birds eat spiders, and spiders sometimes bite. When both promise to behave, however, they slide into a pleasant partnership. Spider reassembles Bird’s tangled strings into a colorful, bespoke home—spiders are weavers, after all. Bird and Spider each open up about their desires for a best friend and put on a repeat performance of Bird’s friend-seeking song together, never realizing—though readers will—how deeply their own relationship is taking root. Bird and Spider’s empathetic interactions recall Owly and Wormy’s supportive bond, while the focus on the magnificent tree and on springtime’s seasonal markers elegantly ties the book together visually, smoothly guiding the story toward the next season of Bird’s tale.
This sweet comic marks the beginning of a beautiful, blossoming friendship. (Graphic early reader. 4-7)Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
ISBN: 9798765648131
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Graphic Universe
Review Posted Online: Oct. 10, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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