Well-trod territory but a gem nevertheless.
Geisel Honor–winning Yoon’s picture-book favorite Penguin meets Ollie the octopus while on an underwater treasure hunt.
Penguin takes an undersea dive to explore the ocean floor, looking for riches. After spotting Penguin, Ollie the octopus quietly tails him until the two meet in a cloud of black ink. Eventually, Penguin tracks down the treasure chest and realizes that his friendship with Ollie is the real prize. Yoon’s darling little Penguin and signature illustrations rank high in kid appeal. Thick black outlines set each character off from the background. The book offers a playful mashup of realistic details (like Ollie’s ink) and more whimsical ones; readers expecting a realistic marine story should look elsewhere. Penguin once again wears his familiar orange scarf, a shark and several jellyfish end up bejeweled (the shark even sports a gold tooth!) after the valuables are discovered, and Ollie puts found knitting needles to good use in an effort to coordinate accessories with Penguin. The final pages include a seek-and-find guide. The moral of the story is a familiar and predictable one, but in this absolutely adorable package, it’s sweet and sure to be a hit for fans of the series. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Well-trod territory but a gem nevertheless. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781681193502
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2023
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
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
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