A primer for good social graces—not just the standard “please” and “thank you”!
A dapper sloth explains the importance of being courteous.
Clad in a top hat and polka-dotted cravat, Emilio sets out to meet Neeta Swan for scones and tea. Many people believe that sloths move slowly, but Emilio has a different perspective: “I think certain things are worth taking my time.” What if Kumiko Nightingale were to sing a lovely song? The accompanying image shows Emilio happily taking in Kumiko’s music. And what if Emilio met a new friend? An illustration shows Emilio making the acquaintance of an adorable little mouse. One needs time to make a proper introduction and inquire about a friend’s day. Emilio also stresses the importance of listening: “If she is sad, I listen. If she is happy, I listen.” Remembering a new friend’s name is imperative, too. After all, “every name has a story!” The visuals depict Emilio journeying to meet Neeta, pausing to interact with others, and demonstrating respect and empathy for everyone. Ahdieh’s purposefully meandering text is filled with funny asides and sound insights alike; this tale goes beyond typical etiquette-focused stories, getting to the heart of what it means to be considerate. Marley’s cartoonish artwork anthropomorphizes the animals with quirky accessories. Readers will chuckle as the final illustration zooms out for a hilarious twist.
A primer for good social graces—not just the standard “please” and “thank you”! (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 22, 2024
ISBN: 9781534486614
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2024
Serve this superbly designed title to all who relish slightly scary stories.
Kids know vegetables can be scary, but rarely are edible roots out to get someone. In this whimsical mock-horror tale, carrots nearly frighten the whiskers off Jasper Rabbit, an interloper at Crackenhopper Field.
Jasper loves carrots, especially those “free for the taking.” He pulls some in the morning, yanks out a few in the afternoon, and comes again at night to rip out more. Reynolds builds delicious suspense with succinct language that allows understatements to be fully exploited in Brown’s hilarious illustrations. The cartoon pictures, executed in pencil and then digitally colored, are in various shades of gray and serve as a perfectly gloomy backdrop for the vegetables’ eerie orange on each page. “Jasper couldn’t get enough carrots … / … until they started following him.” The plot intensifies as Jasper not only begins to hear the veggies nearby, but also begins to see them everywhere. Initially, young readers will wonder if this is all a product of Jasper’s imagination. Was it a few snarling carrots or just some bathing items peeking out from behind the shower curtain? The ending truly satisfies both readers and the book’s characters alike. And a lesson on greed goes down like honey instead of a forkful of spinach.
Serve this superbly designed title to all who relish slightly scary stories. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 21, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4424-0297-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 1, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2012
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
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