An amusing satire on influencer culture and an earnest endorsement of disciplined effort.
Apparently unaware of his own cautionary history, Hare is destined to repeat it in this wryly funny paean to perseverance.
Chicken Little isn’t interested in the upcoming marathon. (“Have you seen how short my legs are?”) But the hens are agog at the competition’s sponsor and most famous participant, Hare, a local celebrity, and begin to train diligently. Then Hare’s running manual arrives. Despite its title, Hop to It, the book is strangely silent on workouts, instead touting Hare-brand smoothies, sneakers, and sweatbands. The hens purchase everything and relax on chaises, reading and slurping. Upon learning that the hens haven’t read any other training handbooks, serious, bespectacled Chicken Little becomes concerned. She warns, “It’s a very long race! You could get hurt if you don’t train!” “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Goaded, she signs up to race and begins a strenuous regimen. It’s a tough ordeal, but “still, she persisted,” sustained by her mantra, “slow and steady.” The race-day results will not be a surprise. Hare struggles to accept coming in second, while Chicken Little, having realized the rewards of determination and hard work, ponders future challenges. With hand-lettering and minimal touches of color, the droll, lighthearted line illustrations and sly nods to adult readers balance the sensible messaging. This is a successful third hit for the “real” Chicken Little.
An amusing satire on influencer culture and an earnest endorsement of disciplined effort. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781338892420
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Nov. 4, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.
Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!
Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.
Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 31, 2026
ISBN: 9781454999621
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Sure to have little ones giggling.
Jacques is a hedgehog with a big secret: “I wear real, bona fide underwear.”
Our narrator received a mysterious package one day; an illustration shows a pair of underwear tied to a balloon with a note “from the Universe” floating down into Jacques’ burrow. Hedgehogs don’t wear underwear, however. Will Jacques be shunned? Jacques worries but comes to a decision: “I have to wear them. When I do I feel special.” Determined, Jacques, who’s been invited to a party, makes a dramatic entrance, with undies in hand. Jacques’ declaration (“I WEAR UNDERWEAR”) is met with remarks of dismay, before another hedgehog opens up about similar fears and shows off a pair of cowboy boots. More hedgehogs introduce themselves with their own confessions. The story ends with Jacques unveiling a painting of the underwear in a gallery filled with hedgehogs wearing all sorts of attire. Though the book is simple in plot, characters, and setting, it wins in its balance of bathroom humor, dramatic storytelling, and celebrations of individual expression. French words are peppered throughout, adding to the fun without detracting from the story for those unfamiliar with the language. The cartoonish illustrations brim with fun; Valdez relies heavily on geometric shapes (triangle noses for the hedgehogs; huge circles for their eyes). Details such as speech bubbles and recurring turtle and snake characters contribute to the outlandish humor.
Sure to have little ones giggling. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: April 1, 2025
ISBN: 9781250814388
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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