Hooray for teamwork, hard work, and friendship!
A cheerful group of anthropomorphic tools known as the Fix-Its learn about the value of a power nap.
One morning, the hand drill excitedly tells the two screwdrivers about a new arrival to the workbench. “Is that the brand-new, super-duper Power Drill?!” asks one of the screwdrivers. The three get to work while Power Drill finishes charging. The hand drill makes a hole, and a screwdriver turns a screw. It’s hard work. “Would you like some help?” asks Power Drill. Yes! “They’re so powerful, they didn’t even need to pre-drill!” says the hand drill while observing Power Drill’s work. Power Drill acknowledges the secret to their impressive speed and energy: “ELECTRICITY!” Like groupies gushing over a celebrity, the wide-eyed hand tools cut hilarious figures as they look on in awe. They take the opportunity to rest by basking under a lamp (“Relaxation looks good on us”), and they plan a party for Power Drill as thanks for all the work getting done. But Power Drill is slowing down, their “ziip” turning to an “urr…urp.” It takes several tools to hoist Power Drill back onto the charger to recover. Reul accomplishes a lot in the Fix-Its’ second graphic novel: She gives readers an up-close look at various woodworking tools, reminds them that rest and recharging are essential, and demonstrates the importance of respect and cooperation. The crisp panels and gently animated look of the workbench denizens add to the welcoming feel.
Hooray for teamwork, hard work, and friendship! (Graphic beginning reader. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 22, 2024
ISBN: 9780063295537
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperAlley
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience.
The How to Catch A… crew try for Comet.
Having already failed to nab a Halloween witch, the Easter Bunny, a turkey, a leprechaun, the Tooth Fairy, and over a dozen other iconic trophies in previous episodes of this bestselling series, one would think the racially diverse gaggle of children in Elkerton’s moonlit, wintry scenes would be flagging…but no, here they lay out snares ranging from a loop of garland to an igloo baited with reindeer moss to an enticing candy cane maze, all in hopes of snagging one of Santa’s reindeer while he’s busy delivering presents. Infused with pop culture–based Christmas cheer (“Now I’ve already seen the shelf with the elf”), Comet prances past the traps until it’s time to gather up the kids, most of whom look terrified, for a group snapshot with the other reindeer and then climb back into harness: “This was a great stop but a few million to go / Christmas Eve must continue with style!” Though festive, the verse feels trite and unlikely to entice youngsters. A sprinkling of “True Facts About Reindeer” (“They live in the tundra, where they have friends like the arctic bunny”) wrap up this celebration of the predatory spirit. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 9781728276137
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A brisk if bland offering for series fans, but cleverer metafictive romps abound.
The titular cookie runs off the page at a bookstore storytime, pursued by young listeners and literary characters.
Following on 13 previous How To Catch… escapades, Wallace supplies sometimes-tortured doggerel and Elkerton, a set of helter-skelter cartoon scenes. Here the insouciant narrator scampers through aisles, avoiding a series of elaborate snares set by the racially diverse young storytime audience with help from some classic figures: “Alice and her mad-hat friends, / as a gift for my unbirthday, / helped guide me through the walls of shelves— / now I’m bound to find my way.” The literary helpers don’t look like their conventional or Disney counterparts in the illustrations, but all are clearly identified by at least a broad hint or visual cue, like the unnamed “wizard” who swoops in on a broom to knock over a tower labeled “Frogwarts.” Along with playing a bit fast and loose with details (“Perhaps the boy with the magic beans / saved me with his cow…”) the author discards his original’s lip-smacking climax to have the errant snack circling back at last to his book for a comfier sort of happily-ever-after.
A brisk if bland offering for series fans, but cleverer metafictive romps abound. (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: Aug. 3, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-7282-0935-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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