An effective reminder that sometimes the most precious fruit is found within.
Oke’s picture book offers an illustrated reimagining of the Old Testament’s parable of the trees.
Thorny Bee is a tree who bears neither foliage nor fruit. Scorned as ugly by his fellow trees, Thorny lives in forced isolation in the kingdom of Treeland. When the king of Treeland dies without an heir, the council of trees convenes to select his successor only to discover that no tree among them wishes to lead. Without a tree of the council willing to serve, they reluctantly name Thorny Bee as the king’s heir. Choosing to remain with his true friends, Thorny declines the crown of Treeland, denying the judgmental trees the blessing of his kindness and wisdom. Adapted from the Bible, this short children’s story serves as a condemnation of superficial judgement and a celebration of individual worth. And while it may dissatisfy some readers that Thorny declines the role of king, his choice teaches his fellow trees a valuable lesson about insincerity and affirms the importance of self-respect. Replete with colorful illustrations by Figueras, this short book will appeal to fans of Christian stories as well as those seeking a children’s tale that celebrates resilience and self-esteem.
An effective reminder that sometimes the most precious fruit is found within.Pub Date: Feb. 28, 2023
ISBN: 9781486623624
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Word Alive Press
Review Posted Online: May 1, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Younger audiences may be mostly interested in the bonking and stinky parts, but the rudiments are at least in place for...
Ten tales from the Old and New Testaments, with plot points and lessons hidden beneath large, shaped flaps.
Higgins depicts Jesus as a bit larger than those around him but otherwise draws him and the rest of the cast—including angels—with similar-looking round heads, wide-open eyes, slightly crooked beards (on the men), and dark brown or olive skin. Cycling arbitrarily among various tenses, the abbreviated, sanitized, and informally retold episodes begin in “a garden” with the tree, most of Adam and Eve, and the “tricky serpent” who “will trick them” initially hidden beneath die-cut flaps. Lifting the largest reveals the disobedient first couple sporting flashy animal-skin togs and text that promises that “God had a plan to save people from sin.” After Noah boards the “crowded, noisy, and stinky” ark, Moses leads the escape from plague-ridden Egypt (“Frogs and locusts! Yucky sores and flies!”), and “David bonks Goliath.” God’s promise eventually bears fruit with the birth and select miracles of Jesus. In the climactic scene, three distant crosses hide beneath a flap that depicts Jerusalem, while behind a tomb in the foreground an angel literally fizzes with fireworks. Beneath a bush readers see Mary (Magdalen) weeping until the risen Jesus (beneath another bush) gives her a hug: “Go tell the disciples that I am alive!”
Younger audiences may be mostly interested in the bonking and stinky parts, but the rudiments are at least in place for homiletic discussion. (Novelty/religion. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 4, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5064-4684-4
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Beaming Books
Review Posted Online: July 29, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
Keep handy for that gloomy day when a “Spaghetti Twister with a Tomato Tornado” might blow in or as an amusing how-to title...
Old and new fans of the classic tale of food delivered three times a day by the weather can tie on an apron, sharpen their culinary skills and dig in to 25 recipes inspired by the beloved book.
The Barretts team up once again to serve kid-friendly fare—to make and eat. A letter from Grandpa to Henry and Kate opens the book, and their reply brings the spiral-bound title to a close. Within, budding chefs will find some standard kids’-cookbook fare after a helpful list of “Grandpa’s Rules and Tools.” Pancakes, fried eggs, open-faced grilled-cheese sandwiches and mashed potatoes are often given clever names but are essentially basic items on the average American menu (“Noodlehead Noodles” = mac ’n’ cheese, for instance). Each spread features a cartoonish illustration of Grandpa engaged in a silly antic related to the recipe on the facing page. Each recipe clearly states the ingredients and directions—no matter how simple—so every dish seems possible to make, especially with an adult assisting. A photo of the end result is also provided to whet the appetite. “Milky Maple Soda” looks refreshing to sip while tackling the “Toasty Bread Houses,” square meatballs, “Foggy Pea Soup” or “Strawberry Tallcake.” Other than one odd warning not to “cremate” English-muffin pizzas under the broiler, the recipes are good and easy, and kids should find many sweet and savory options to tickle their taste buds.
Keep handy for that gloomy day when a “Spaghetti Twister with a Tomato Tornado” might blow in or as an amusing how-to title to help children discover the possible satisfying results that can come when following directions. (Cookbook. 5-8)Pub Date: Aug. 27, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4424-4475-1
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: June 11, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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