bookshelf

CONE CAT

Name: CONE CAT
Author: Sarah Howden
ISBN: 978-1-77147-361-3

by Sarah Howden ; illustrated by Carmen Mok ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 18, 2020

This amusing, essentially one-joke tale should resonate with cat-loving kids and families.

bookshelf

After awakening at the vet’s wearing a cone, a cat discovers it holds advantages.

A period of disgruntled adjustment finds Jeremy “knocking into doorjambs and backing his way down the stairs with all the grace of a fat squirrel.” He unsuccessfully engages in usual pursuits: spider-stalking, “redecorating” (i.e., un-stuffing the couch), and hiding from “little human” Ava. Fortuitously, during Jeremy’s tabletop encounter with Ava’s breakfast leftovers, the cone catches the bowl’s edge, tipping Fruity O’s and milk into both Jeremy’s mouth and cone—a snack “for later!” Jeremy’s conical capers culminate at Ava’s birthday party, where he joins a line of children waiting for ice cream. Ava’s distracted dad plops a scoop right onto Jeremy’s head—and into that catchall cone. Naturally, the day of liberation soon arrives, when “one of the tall humans” whisks the cone away. Resuming his usual antics, Jeremy wonders if anything will rival his “glory days with the Cone.” The answer comes immediately, in a mishap involving a fly, a potted houseplant, and the draperies. A last illustration delivers the visual punchline: Cone Cat’s back, sporting a bandaged forepaw. Howden’s wry telling is matched by Mok’s simple pastel illustrations, accented with red and gold. Children appear with varied skin tones and hair textures, uniformly D-shaped mouths, and dot eyes. Ava presents Asian.

This amusing, essentially one-joke tale should resonate with cat-loving kids and families. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-77147-361-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Owlkids Books

Review Posted Online: June 2, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2020

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
CONE DOG
by Sarah Howden ; illustrated by Carmen Mok

bookshelf

WILL THE PIGEON GRADUATE?

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 4, 2025

An earnest graduation gift: sweet for lifelong fans, cheerfully encouraging for striving, future graduates.

bookshelf

Success comes at last for the bright-eyed Pigeon.

A clever, tongue-in-cheek ersatz colophon reveals that this graduate has been awarded a “Master of Ornery-thology, Bachelor of Arts of Persuasion with a Minor in Major Freak-outs (summa cum loudly).” Fans will be glad that the Pigeon’s tireless, abundant optimism is finally being ceremoniously recognized. On the cover, the Pigeon wears a mortarboard at a jaunty angle, commenting, “I have the hat!” Of course, dressing the part is essential. But also, “I did the work. I paid attention to the little details. I took some BIG steps.” The Pigeon encountered obstacles (not shown, but many memorable ones will come to mind for the Pigeon's followers). And the Pigeon is plagued by worries familiar to many students who are about to graduate: “WHAT WILL HAPPEN THEN?!? What will I do? Who will I be?” The Pigeon appears in every frame, in close-ups and in poses variously thoughtful, confident, or slightly distressed. Our hero’s simple big eyes and wings are, as ever, remarkably expressive. “Oop!” In one scene, while walking off the dais, diploma in wing, the Pigeon comes to what seems like the edge of a chasm. At last, our hero takes flight with other graduates. Willems' popular characters Gerald and Piggie are there to look on admiringly.

An earnest graduation gift: sweet for lifelong fans, cheerfully encouraging for striving, future graduates. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: March 4, 2025

ISBN: 9781454960430

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MONSTER AND PUPPET SHOW!
by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci ; illustrated by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PIGEON WON'T COUNT TO 10!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

bookshelf

IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

bookshelf

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)