Children will need a little guidance from their adult readers to navigate this one.
When a group of penguins meet a human, everything changes. At first, they’re all happy…until they aren’t.
One day, a penguin meets a child—simply referred to as “the person”—roasting marshmallows. After spending a companionable time with the person, the penguin rejoins its group and tells them all about fires and marshmallows. “Naturally, [they all want] to roast marshmallows by the fire, too.” At first, they are “all happy to share one little fire that gave off the most delightful warmth”—until they aren’t. (It seems penguins don’t like to share.) As the birds each start building their own fires, the ice cracks, and they find themselves each on their own piece of ice. At first, that’s nice, until they are lonely. Eventually, they find their way back together again and give communal life another try, “and that was no trouble at all.” It’s quite charming, but ultimately, the message of the story is a little murky. Is it about friendship and the perils of not sharing, perhaps? Or the need to balance individual desires with community needs? Or is there an environmental angle to it, with all the warming from the fires changing their habitat? Sweet, textured penguins drawn against cool-colored washes of wintry blue and purple backgrounds populate this cautionary tale. The child is pale with dark hair. (This book was reviewed digitally with 8.5-by-22-inch double-page spreads viewed at 18% of actual size.)
Children will need a little guidance from their adult readers to navigate this one. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Nov. 3, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-250-20848-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Sept. 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
An upbeat tale with a much-needed message: Imagination and positivity can save the day.
In this picture book from pop star Kevin Jonas and his wife, TV personality Danielle Jonas, a rainy day forces a child to find an alternate way to enjoy the beach.
Family beach day is one of Bella’s favorite things. She loves splashing in the waves, jumping from rock to rock, and building sand castles. Today, however, the weather isn’t cooperating, but Bella isn’t upset. “It will just have to stop raining. That’s all.” Disappointment sets in when her family tells her that beach day is off. Teary Bella rejects suggested indoor pastimes like board games, musical jam sessions, or reading stories together, and she retreats to her room. Dejected, Bella consoles herself with her stuffed bunny, Mr. Bonkers, until her parents and sister, Emma, knock on her door with a surprise: “BEDROOM BEACH DAY!” With just a few household items—a big lamp for the sun, a fan for the ocean breeze, a blue blanket for water, and pillows for rocks—and a large dose of imagination, Bella’s bedroom is transformed. A flexible attitude from all helps Bella—and readers—realize that things may not always go as planned…but sometimes they can be even better than we expected. Whimsical, cartoonish drawings and a dialogue-driven narrative turn a setback into an uplifting family experience. Bella and her family are light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An upbeat tale with a much-needed message: Imagination and positivity can save the day. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: July 11, 2023
ISBN: 9780593352106
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
A decent romp with a few drawbacks.
Caped crusaders take responsibility.
Everybody makes mistakes, even superheroes. This picture book uses rhyming couplets and playful, cartoon artwork to illustrate a variety of scenarios in which masked avengers mess up. They trip and fall, they catch “the wrong guys,” they even oversleep. Regardless of their missteps, heroes always get back up and try again, and they certainly do their best to set things right. The author’s sermon on personal responsibility is a bit too long, but little readers will enjoy the variety of superheroics on display. The mix of superhero-specific misdeeds (muffing the alignment of a bridge they are building) with totally unrelated ones (singing off-key) feels totally arbitrary and a little unkind, but for children facing difficulties with their own behavior, this picture book that acknowledges that “perfection is rare” and an apology goes far certainly hits the spot. The illustrations are suitably dynamic and colorful, boasting a range of male and female superheroes of various sizes and colors. Two negatives to the art: A preponderance of identified “bandits” appear to be people of color, and all three female heroes are wasp-waisted, and two wear short shorts and midriff-baring tops while the guys are covered head to toe. These trends really, really need to go.
A decent romp with a few drawbacks. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Oct. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4549-2703-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sterling
Review Posted Online: July 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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