Can anything compare to nature’s magic?
Gifted magician Spider can’t compete with Caterpillar.
Spider visits his friend Caterpillar, who’s hiding “in her small house.” Spider asks if she’ll come out or if she’s sick or unhappy. Caterpillar only shakes her head. Attempting to cheer her up, Spider collects leaves and, with an “Abracadabra,” uses them to create objects, including a guitar, a necklace, a paraglider, stars, a moon, and a sun. Despite Spider’s ingenuity, Caterpillar remains silent; indeed, by the performance’s end, she’s asleep. Spider sadly departs, and Caterpillar sleeps on. Eventually, Spider returns. Surprisingly, Caterpillar speaks, urging him to wait. Slowly emerging from her house and whispering “abracadabra,” she demonstrates her own trick. A page turn reveals the word “abracadabra” set in large type dominating two pages—and then…Caterpillar appears as a gorgeous butterfly. This simple, sweet springtime story offers a refreshing twist on the familiar metamorphosis tale. Readers will deduce what Caterpillar’s “magic trick” is before the end, but their wonder won’t be affected: The change from caterpillar to butterfly is perennially captivating. The child-appealing illustrations feature lots of white space and bright greens, yellows, and oranges. Spider’s oversized face demonstrates myriad expressions; he’s smartly dressed in red shirt and boots. Caterpillar looks winsome peeping out from her chrysalis.
Can anything compare to nature’s magic? (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 29, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4788-6844-6
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Reycraft Books
Review Posted Online: March 14, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2020
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren.
In talk-show host Fallon and illustrator Ordóñez’s latest picture-book collaboration, an elderly pooch waxes rhapsodic about a life well lived.
Observing Papa sitting in his chair watching TV all day, a young pup says, “I’m starting to think…you don’t do ANYTHING.” So Papa proceeds to list his accomplishments, both big and small, mundane and profound. Some are just a result of being older and physically bigger (being tall enough to reach a high shelf and strong enough to open jars); others include winning a race and performing in a band when he was younger. Eventually, the pup realizes that while Papa may have slowed down in his old age, he’s led a full life. The most satisfying thing about Papa’s life now? Watching his grandchild take center stage: “I can say lots of thoughts / but I choose to be quiet. / I’d rather you discover things and then try it.” Fallon’s straightforward text is sweetly upbeat, though it occasionally lacks flow, forcing incongruous situations together to fit the rhyme scheme (“I cook and I mow, / and I once flew a plane. // I play newspaper puzzles because it’s good for my brain”). Featuring uncluttered, colorful backgrounds, Ordóñez’s child-friendly digital art at times takes on sepia tones, evoking the sense of looking back at old photos or memories. Though the creators tread familiar ground, the love between Papa and his little one is palpable.
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781250393975
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.
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)Pub Date: March 31, 2026
ISBN: 9781454999621
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
