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ZIP, THE WORLD'S GREATEST ROBOT

Name: ZIP, THE WORLD'S GREATEST ROBOT
Author: Rebecca Purcell
ISBN: 978-1-80036-001-3

by Rebecca Purcell ; illustrated by Rebecca Purcell ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2020

Proof that being loved is better than being the greatest.

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A charming look at the distinction between “perfect” and “perfect for you.”

This clever meditation on the power of friendship is simply told, simply rendered, and amusingly rooted in a subtext about truth in advertising. On the cover, a gold seal proclaims Zip, the world’s greatest robot, the “#1 Best.” Meanwhile, an asterisked disclaimer acknowledges that the claim “World’s Greatest” is “not scientifically proven.” Zip introduces itself as “the world’s GREATEST robot” to a kind-looking kitty in a dress, whose immediate response is, “How can you be sure?” “It says so in my user manual,” Zip replies, producing a copy of the Official Zip Guide. When the dubious kitten points out that the world is, in fact, a very big place, Zip proceeds to show off some admittedly amazing features: retractable arms and legs, a turbo booster, and a drawer of warm cookies. But after Zip claims to be able to read minds, it turns out the new friends are perhaps not on the same wavelength after all…or are they? After the kitten consoles Zip for incorrectly guessing what its new feline friend was thinking, the robot offers exactly what the kitten wanted: more cookies. Plain, sky-blue backgrounds and green grass underfoot keep the focus on the compassionate kitten and the robot, which resembles a grinning Shop-Vac wearing a rabbit-ear antenna.

Proof that being loved is better than being the greatest. (Board book. 2-5)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-80036-001-3

Page Count: 22

Publisher: Tiny Seed

Review Posted Online: Oct. 7, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2020

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE MONSTER READS A BOOK
by Rebecca Purcell

- BOOK REVIEW
COUNTING WITH OWL AND BIRD
by Rebecca Purcell ; illustrated by Rebecca Purcell

- BOOK REVIEW
CAT HAS ONE SHOE
by Rebecca Purcell ; illustrated by Rebecca Purcell

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PERFECTLY NORMAN

From the Big Bright Feelings series

by Tom Percival ; illustrated by Tom Percival ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2018

A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance.

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A boy with wings learns to be himself and inspires others like him to soar, too.

Norman, a “perfectly normal” boy, never dreamed he might grow wings. Afraid of what his parents might say, he hides his new wings under a big, stuffy coat. Although the coat hides his wings from the world, Norman no longer finds joy in bathtime, playing at the park, swimming, or birthday parties. With the gentle encouragement of his parents, who see his sadness, Norman finds the courage to come out of hiding and soar. Percival (The Magic Looking Glass, 2017, etc.) depicts Norman with light skin and dark hair. Black-and-white illustrations show his father with dark skin and hair and his mother as white. The contrast of black-and-white illustrations with splashes of bright color complements the story’s theme. While Norman tries to be “normal,” the world and people around him look black and gray, but his coat stands out in yellow. Birds pop from the page in pink, green, and blue, emphasizing the joy and beauty of flying free. The final spread, full of bright color and multiracial children in flight, sets the mood for Norman’s realization on the last page that there is “no such thing as perfectly normal,” but he can be “perfectly Norman.”

A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance. (Picture book. 3-5)

Pub Date: May 1, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-68119-785-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
FINN'S LITTLE FIBS
by Tom Percival ; illustrated by Tom Percival

- BOOK REVIEW
MILO'S MONSTER
by Tom Percival ; illustrated by Tom Percival

- BOOK REVIEW
TILDA TRIES AGAIN
by Tom Percival ; illustrated by Tom Percival

- BOOK REVIEW
FINN'S LITTLE FIBS
by Tom Percival ; illustrated by Tom Percival

- BOOK REVIEW
MILO'S MONSTER
by Tom Percival ; illustrated by Tom Percival

- BOOK REVIEW
TILDA TRIES AGAIN
by Tom Percival ; illustrated by Tom Percival

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THERE'S A UNICORN IN YOUR BOOK

From the Who's in Your Book? series

by Tom Fletcher ; illustrated by Greg Abbott ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 4, 2022

A simple but important lesson about anxiety that will speak to young worrywarts everywhere.

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A troubled little unicorn needs serious help.

There are “worry gremlins” all around threatening his peace of mind. Kids will feel engaged and empowered as they follow the directions to get these gremlins out of the picture. Young readers are told to “wiggle your fingers to make some magic dust,” tickle the unicorn, tell him a joke, and shake the book. None of these tactics quite do the trick, since the gremlins keep coming back and Unicorn’s horn gets stuck in the page. A gentler shake frees the horn, and the text offers another solution, one that kids can take to heart—“The best way to get rid of a worry is to tell someone about it.” Luckily, Unicorn’s friend Monster, an innocuous blue being with tiny pink horns, is there for Unicorn to whisper his worries to. Readers are also urged to whisper something encouraging to Unicorn, who thereafter feels much better. Fears allayed, he and his friends indulge in an exuberant celebration. Kids can join in as they happily sing together against a double-page spread of stars, rays of light, fairies, and disappearing gremlins. The digital illustrations are humorous, and varying typefaces and energetic page reveals add to the fun. This entry in the Who’s in Your Book? series follows the same pattern as the others and includes characters from the previous books.

A simple but important lesson about anxiety that will speak to young worrywarts everywhere. (Picture book. 3-5)