Who better than a mythical being to share how to be exceptional?
Nine simple steps to become your unicorn best.
An essential question is posed: “Do you want to shine like a unicorn?” If not, no need to read any further. But in this story, the answer is an enthusiastic “Of course you do!” And extremely excited unicorn protagonist Glitter Poop can’t wait to share the secret steps that will make this dream come true. First, one must choose a unicorn name by combining “a fun word and a silly adjective.” (Sadly for readers, Glitter Poop is already taken.) Other steps follow: Don’t be afraid to stand out, to be curious, or to make your own fun. Maybe you can wear a hot dog hat on your head or learn words like grandiloquent. Step No. 7 is important: “Love yourself.” Even on those foolish “upside-down days where nothing looks right.” But Step No. 9? That is the “MOST IMPORTANT UNICORNY step of all.” It’s top secret. Glitter Poop warns readers to turn the page only if they are truly ready. Embellished with rainbows, confetti, doughnuts, and joy, Frost’s buoyant art rises to Glitter Poop’s energy. The rainbow-maned blue equine even cries extravagantly. The gray-suited green Martians with toilet-paper–roll horns are an especially good touch. A rousing call to action at the end unifies all unicorn-storytime devotees. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Who better than a mythical being to share how to be exceptional? (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 21, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-06-299833-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A wandering effort, happy but pointless.
The perfect book for kids who love dragons and mild tacos.
Rubin’s story starts with an incantatory edge: “Hey, kid! Did you know that dragons love tacos? They love beef tacos and chicken tacos. They love really big gigantic tacos and tiny little baby tacos as well.” The playing field is set: dragons, tacos. As a pairing, they are fairly silly, and when the kicker comes in—that dragons hate spicy salsa, which ignites their inner fireworks—the silliness is sillier still. Second nature, after all, is for dragons to blow flames out their noses. So when the kid throws a taco party for the dragons, it seems a weak device that the clearly labeled “totally mild” salsa comes with spicy jalapenos in the fine print, prompting the dragons to burn down the house, resulting in a barn-raising at which more tacos are served. Harmless, but if there is a parable hidden in the dragon-taco tale, it is hidden in the unlit deep, and as a measure of lunacy, bridled or unbridled, it doesn’t make the leap into the outer reaches of imagination. Salmieri’s artwork is fitting, with a crabbed, ethereal line work reminiscent of Peter Sís, but the story does not offer it enough range.
A wandering effort, happy but pointless. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: June 14, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3680-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: March 27, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2012
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
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