A superb celebration of storytelling when the truth proves insufficient.
A whodunit where the “who” and the “dunit” are the least interesting parts of the story.
Cat has just walked in to discover a cookie jar shattered on the floor, the cookies nowhere to be seen. When asked to explain what happened, cheeky Mouse is more than happy to oblige. Mouse tells a story of how the cookies, tired of being cooped up, destroyed their own jar and are now wandering the countryside, free. “Honestly we should be happy for them.” When Cat doesn’t buy it, Mouse follows up the tale with one about a slimy monster, then one about an alien named Georgette, then one about a bug with multiple hungry relatives. Cat screams for Mouse to just tell the real story, so Mouse does. “I stole and ate all the cookies, and then the jar fell and broke. The end.” Morality isn’t in question here. In fact, it’s only at this point that Cat realizes how dull the truth can be. Ultimately, Cat asks for another cookie story, which Mouse provides…for a cookie. Brimming with marvelous read-aloud potential (frustrated characters make for fantastic vocal oscillations), Ruzzier’s latest provides plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, many stemming from Cat and Mouse’s odd-couple relationship. The text is simple enough for younger readers, while the surreal watercolors are the perfect complement to Mouse’s out-of-this-world imaginings.
A superb celebration of storytelling when the truth proves insufficient. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 10, 2023
ISBN: 9781419755262
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
WOO-HOO! This is the perfect way to foster healthy self-esteem in little ones.
What’s better than a cheerleading chicken?
Are you ever blue, unsure, tired, or overworked? Do you ever feel lost or overwhelmed? This uplifting book, expressed in delightful, jaunty verse, explains how to lift your spirits pronto: What you need is a booster chicken telling you’re doing great even when you’re not so confident, as when you’re learning or practicing a new skill, for instance. Your feathered champion will be right there, encouraging you all the way, with a loud “WOO HOO!” that’ll keep you going and remove any doubt you’re super terrific. But what if your cheerful chick errs and doesn’t do what it set out to do? Don’t worry—your cheery chicken just needs a reminder that everyone makes mistakes. That alone is a pep talk, enhanced by the wisdom that making mistakes allows everyone to learn and demonstrate they did their best. So forgive yourself, chickens! But the best thing is…instead of relying on someone else—like a chicken—to strengthen your ego, say a generous daily “WOO HOO!” to yourself. This riotous book hits all the right notes and does so succinctly and hilariously. The energetic, comical illustrations, in Boynton’s signature style, will elicit giggles and go far to make the book’s important point. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
WOO-HOO! This is the perfect way to foster healthy self-esteem in little ones. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-316-48679-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2023
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