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
It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how many mediocre sequels you can squeeze out of Seussian property.
Since a reformed Grinch is hardly any fun, this follow-up Grinches him up once more.
Those seeking more of the same, prepare to receive precisely that. Christmas is coming (again!), and the Grinch can hardly wait. He’s been patient all year, and now he can finally show the Whos down in Who-ville how much he’s changed. When the Grinch learns of a tree-decorating contest, he figures that if he wins, it’ll prove he truly has the Christmas spirit. He throws himself into the task, but when it comes time to judge the trees, the Grinch is horrified to discover that he’s received only the second-place trophy. Can Cindy-Lou Who find the words to save the day? Replicating many of the original beats and wordplay of the original, this tale feels like less a sequel and more like a vaguely rewritten variation. Meanwhile, Ruiz’s art seeks to bridge the gap between the animated Chuck Jones version of the Grinch and the one depicted in the original book. This thankless task results in a strange uncanny valley between Seuss and Jones but does allow the artist a chance to colorize everything and lend some racial diversity to the Who population (Cindy-Lou is light-skinned). (This book was reviewed digitally.)
It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how many mediocre sequels you can squeeze out of Seussian property. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9780593563168
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Aug. 15, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2023
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
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