A vibrantly illustrated ode to tranquility.
A child reflects on all the different ways to experience peace.
An unnamed, Black-presenting protagonist looks serenely out a window beside a happy black cat. The child narrator describes moments when they feel peaceful: when connecting with others, when they’re by themself, or “when things go well.” This gentle story introduces different flavors of peace—“ ‘Good game!’ peaceful.” “ ‘Cuddle time,’ peaceful.” “ ‘I’ll help,’ peaceful.” Bell’s dynamic, textured illustrations make peace feel particularly palpable, such as when the protagonist describes the “ ‘floating,’ peaceful” they feel when swimming outside; Bell’s depiction of the contented main character, buoyed on the light-webbed surface of a lake, is mesmerizing. But the child does acknowledge that they don’t always feel peaceful—“So I slow my breathing down—deep breath in, deep breath out.” The rest of the story details strategies for finding peace, with the narrator concluding that “Sometimes it takes work to get there. But when I do, I’m happy to be peaceful me.” With no validation of nonpeaceful emotions, some young readers may get the impression that distress and agitation are bad feelings to fix rather than normal emotions that just require processing. The book would have benefitted from a slightly more expanded narrative that spends more time on negative emotions; caregivers and educators may want to pair it with the creators' earlier title Angry Me (2022) for a more in-depth look at the emotional spectrum. Still, overall this is an age-appropriate exploration of how to stay centered and calm. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A vibrantly illustrated ode to tranquility. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9781773063416
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Groundwood
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
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