Unnecessary anthropomorphization mars what should be a stirring, heroic tale.
Ordinary heroes dive into danger in this celebration of Hurricane Katrina’s Cajun Navy.
Around New Orleans and all along the Gulf Coast, a wide array of boats can be found. Here readers meet Bubba, a bass boat, Bennie, an airboat, and Sal, a speedboat. One day, a hurricane strikes Louisiana. The waves crash, the levees break, and suddenly there are too many people for the firefighters, police, and Coast Guardsmen to save. Initially Bubba, Bennie, and Sal feel helpless, but as word goes out for volunteers to help the people stranded, the boats feel the call of duty. As the backmatter relates, thousands of people were rescued thanks to this impromptu “Cajun Navy.” Additional information discusses the origins of hurricanes, the Cajun Navy’s ongoing efforts, and how to prepare before and keep safe during a hurricane. Much of Neubecker’s art is beautiful, as when the endpapers present New Orleans from above. However, these rescue boats have both eyeballs and sentience: “Bubba has an idea: ‘If all the little boats work together, we can do big things.’ ” The humans piloting them seem like afterthoughts. While the impulse to make this tale of disaster a child-friendly one is understandable, anthropomorphizing the boats detracts from the true heroism of the very real citizen rescuers. A straightforward retelling would have better served this history.
Unnecessary anthropomorphization mars what should be a stirring, heroic tale. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 18, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-17689-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: March 30, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2021
Kids will come for the construction vehicles and leave with some social-emotional skills.
Anthropomorphic trucks and construction vehicles work through big feelings.
“I’m Cranky,” announces a yellow crane—that’s our protagonist’s name and state of mind. It’s a big day at the construction site; everyone’s completing work on the construction of a new bridge. Friends like Zippy the cement mixer and Wheezy the forklift encourage Cranky to cheer up. But their positivity only makes Cranky feel worse. Cranky eats alone at lunch and feels increasingly isolated as the day goes on. When Zippy and Wheezy express concern, Cranky suddenly becomes even more upset: “Asking me what’s wrong makes me feel like it’s not okay for me to be cranky!” The others back off, and slowly, the grouchy crane’s mood starts to improve. And the friends are right there when Cranky is ready to open up. Bright colors, adorably anthropomorphic vehicles, and layouts that alternate between vignettes and full-page spreads will hold readers’ attention through what is a mostly introspective narrative. Tran imparts some solid messages, such as the importance of giving pals the space they need and communicating your needs, even if you choose not to share everything. Some of the nuance will be lost on younger readers, but the story will spark conversations with others. Construction puns such as “self-of-steam” should get some chuckles from older kids and adults.
Kids will come for the construction vehicles and leave with some social-emotional skills. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9780063256286
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Nov. 4, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2023
Only for kids who really, really want to look at pictures of tractors.
A purple tractor discovers his purpose.
“Deep in farm country…Purple Tractor had a comfortable home and loving parents, but he was unhappy.” The other tractors—orange, red, and blue—make fun of him because of his inability to perform farm-related chores. He finds comfort talking with Brown Truck, who’s lived on the farm longer than any other vehicle and tells stories about the old days. Brown Truck has the perfect job for Purple Tractor: working on a construction site. Purple Tractor heads to a construction site with Brown Truck and enjoys the work. His fellow farm tractors start to feel threatened by his new sense of self, but once he saves the day after a severe weather event, he eventually finds his place in both worlds. Exhaustingly long blocks of text are paired with static illustrations of pastoral and urban scenes. While heavy machinery is often an automatic hit with young children, this one will have a hard time finding an appreciative audience. The story is wordy, with a leaden sentimentality that comes from painstakingly explaining what lessons readers should be taking away. The heroism in this Little Heroes, Big Hearts series leaves a lot to be desired.
Only for kids who really, really want to look at pictures of tractors. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728278315
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
bookshelf
