While not as riotously funny as Penelope’s debut, it comes with a much more meaningful message.
Having learned We Don’t Eat Our Classmates(2018), Penelope the T. rex is now trying to rock them…in the school talent show.
Even though she’s the only T. rex in the school, Penelope at times feels overlooked. The other, human kids typecast her as the dinosaur in all their pretend play, but Penelope’s so much more: She reads and draws, and she longs to share her rock-’n’-roll music with her classmates. But the first day of rehearsal—a day of elation, excitement, and plans—leads to disappointment and self-doubt. Her father’s pep talk helps her remember she is much more than just the T. rex everyone sees. And the next day, as she’s gathering her courage—Walter’s fishbowl is next to the sign-up sheet (readers of the previous title will get it)—some classmates ask to join her band, which is just the push she needs. Higgins perfectly captures Penelope’s seesawing emotions, the highest highs and the lowest lows. The school is one of the most diverse found in picture books, with kids of all skin colors and ethnicities, several girls in hijab, a boy in a kippah, and kids using forearm crutches and a wheelchair. Hopefully the endpapers will serve as springboards for readers to declare and illustrate their own talents.
While not as riotously funny as Penelope’s debut, it comes with a much more meaningful message. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 21, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-368-05959-6
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This frenetic ode to fatherhood is predictable fare but may please series fans.
It’s time to look for the elusive Daddysaurus.
In this latest installment in the seemingly never-ending series about a group of diverse kids attempting to trap mythical creatures, the youngsters are now on the lookout for a big mauve dinosaur with an emblazoned D on his stomach and a superhero cape. The fast-moving Daddysaurus is always on the go; he will be difficult to catch. Armed with blueprints of possible ideas, the kids decide which traps to set. As in previous works, ones of the sticky variety seem popular. They cover barbells with fly paper (Daddysaurus like to exercise) and spread glue on the handle of a shovel (Daddysaurus also likes to garden). One clever trick involves tempting Daddysaurus with a drawing of a hole, taped to the wall, because he fixes everything that breaks. Daddysaurus is certainly engaged in the children’s lives, not a workaholic or absent, but he does fall into some standard tropes associated with fathers. The rhyming quatrains stumble at times but for the most part bounce along. Overall, though, text and art feel somewhat formulaic and likely will tempt only devotees of the series. The final page of the book (after Daddysaurus is caught with love) has a space for readers to write a note or draw a picture of their own Daddysaurus. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
This frenetic ode to fatherhood is predictable fare but may please series fans. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 1, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-72826-618-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Like a steezy gem.
Following a brutal tumble, a rad little skater rediscovers the courage to pick up the board again with the help of her friends.
Cielo loves to skate all over town, devoting her time to zipping around with “a steezy push and a good pop.” Conquering sidewalks via ollies and breezing down streets in fast downhill rides, the fearless brown-skinned girl zips across town, her own playground. When a new skate park with deep pools opens, Cielo finds a new obstacle to overcome: The Whale, aka the biggest, highest pool at the park. The fateful day arrives, and Cielo hangs over the rim, ready to skate down The Whale. Bam! Instead, she stumbles, falling flat. Shaken and frustrated, Cielo gives up the board altogether. Until one day, a couple of fellow skaters call to her from the skate park. Encouraged by her newfound friends, Mia and Miro (both of whom have lighter skin), Cielo reattempts The Whale. Will Cielo fly again? An overall charmer, Katstaller’s ode to the etherealness and camaraderie of skateboarding pops and snaps from page to page. Colorful, sparse art with bold colors and unusual angles commits to an exceptional depiction of Cielo’s flights and tumbles. Above all, the emphasis on community offers a rousing image of skateboarding, accentuated by an author’s note and a glossary that clarifies terms and lingo for newcomers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Like a steezy gem. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Aug. 2, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-338-75111-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Orchard/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2022
© Copyright 2026 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.
