An important lesson deftly delivered.
A young beachcomber learns about ownership—and friendship.
Elena is a bright red tapir who loves collecting shells. Adorning a tall pile of sand on the beach, her collection resembles a colorful array of Christmas tree ornaments. One day, “right in the middle of her lunch,” one of her shells runs away. Thinking quickly, Elena yells, “SHARK!!” and the shell stops dead in its tracks, right on the edge of the water. When Elena picks up the shell, out plops an orange hermit crab with enormous eyes. Even after the crab explains that the shell is his home, Elena turns her back and walks away with it. But back home, she begins to worry about the crab, “all alone and with no shell to hide in.” Elena rushes back to the shore to find the crab, who’s been hiding inside a cluster of rocks, and gives him back his shell, along with a sincere apology. The crab squeaks out a “Thank you!” and returns to the safety of his shell. Elena still has a large collection of shells, and now she has friends—a whole slew of hermit crabs—to share her treasures with. Both Elena’s selfishness and her later remorse are entirely believable. Robbins’ bright, childlike illustrations and minimal text match the sweet simplicity of her tale. Both tapir and hermit crab are adorable.
An important lesson deftly delivered. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: April 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-76036-057-3
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Starfish Bay
Review Posted Online: March 2, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.
A dog-loving child encourages a less-than-enthusiastic younger one to imagine they’re both canines.
From the first declaration—“I’d be a big dog! And you’d be a little one!”—readers know who’s calling the shots. Initially, the protagonists cavort off the page and through the neighborhood together, performing doggy capers such as tail wagging, stick carrying, and dirt digging. But by the time they encounter a multitude of like-minded creatures at the dog park, the disgruntled small pup is exhibiting out-and-out rebellion: “Being a dog is YOUR idea! Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!” The narrative wraps up with the younger child pretending to be a different animal entirely—cleverly foreshadowed through subtle details in the illustrations. Even the endpapers—lively silhouettes of dogs in the beginning and many different animals in closing—extend the theme to suggest the imaginative possibilities of pretend play. Cheerful, lightly hued colors fit the whimsical mood, while expressive body language allows the art to tell the story with a minimum of words. Ending on a surprising note, with a sweet compromise between the two main characters, the tale gives both kids the freedom to embrace their own preferences and styles—while still enjoying their game.
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9780316581721
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance.
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
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