bookshelf

I REALLY WANT THE CAKE

Name: I REALLY WANT THE CAKE
Author: Simon Philip
ISBN: 978-1-338-58941-2

by Simon Philip ; illustrated by Lucia Gaggiotti ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 5, 2020

This humorous struggle for self-control also models apology and restitution.

bookshelf

A child and a dog fight a losing battle to resist a tempting—but forbidden—chocolate cake.

Each step in this hilarious struggle is narrated by the child in a three-line rhyme that culminates in an increasingly emotional refrain (in fun type to match) as the battle for self-control escalates. “I think I want the cake” leads to “You must not eat the cake” and “I must… / … forget the cake” until “I’m going BACK for cake.” Undone, the child licks the cake, then takes a bite—and then dog and child annihilate the cake. “I know I’ve not been very wise. / And what I’ve done I can’t disguise. / I might have to apologize… / …because I ate the cake.” To make amends, the child, who’s never baked, decides to replace the cake. “It’s EASY making cake!” until things go wrong. Eggs smash on the table, batter splatters, and a predictable mess engulfs the kitchen, child, and dog. Despite stress and mess, the child is at last able to say, “but hey, I’ve made you cake!” And it’s a delightfully decorated cake at that. Multipanel spreads with exuberantly scribbly cartoon illustrations keep the action moving, and close-ups of the pale-skinned, black-haired child’s face capture the emotional turmoil that ensues.

This humorous struggle for self-control also models apology and restitution. (Picture book. 3-8)

Pub Date: May 5, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-338-58941-2

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Orchard/Scholastic

Review Posted Online: Jan. 25, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
I REALLY WANT TO WIN
by Simon Philip ; illustrated by Lucia Gaggiotti

- BOOK REVIEW
YOU MUST BRING A HAT!
by Simon Philip ; illustrated by Kate Hindley

- BOOK REVIEW
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO CALL MY CAT
by Simon Philip ; illustrated by Ella Bailey

bookshelf

BEDTIME FOR BATMAN

From the DC Super Heroes series , Vol. 1

by Michael Dahl ; illustrated by Ethen Beavers ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2016

This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom.

bookshelf

Holy bedtime, Batman!

In a sleepy-looking neighborhood under a dusky cerulean sky, a young, brown-haired, white boy goes through the motions of getting ready for bed: he brushes his teeth, takes a bath, picks up his toys, and feeds his fish. In a parallel visual narrative, beckoned by the cat's-eye–yellow bat-signal, Batman keeps Gotham safe for another night by catching crooks, locking them away, and avenging those who have been wronged. Though the two characters are quite different, through a carefully flexible narrative, Dahl and Beavers weave a convincing tale of just how similar they might be. “It’s time to take care of business” describes the child’s trip to the potty and Batman’s dive down a manhole equally well, for instance. Beavers' art is visually striking and vibrantly hued, perfect for keeping young eyes glued to each page. Dahl's economical text is cadenced with a gentle lilt, just right for a bedtime read-aloud. Young fans of the caped crusader will delight in spying their favorite characters. In the already-overstuffed bedtime-book market, this is certainly a niche read, but it hits its mark well, delivering fun without darkness. A “bedtime checklist” at the end aptly includes “story time.”

This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom. (Picture book. 3-8)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-62370-732-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Capstone Young Readers

Review Posted Online: May 13, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
NOUNS SAY "WHAT'S THAT?"
by Michael Dahl ; illustrated by Lauren Lowen

- BOOK REVIEW
PERIODS SAY "STOP."
by Michael Dahl ; illustrated by Chris Garbutt

- BOOK REVIEW
GOOD MORNING, SUPERMAN!
by Michael Dahl ; illustrated by Omar Lozano

bookshelf

CINDERELLA

From the Once Upon a World series

by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Sandra Equihua ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 2016

A nice but not requisite purchase.

bookshelf

A retelling of the classic fairy tale in board-book format and with a Mexican setting.

Though simplified for a younger audience, the text still relates the well-known tale: mean-spirited stepmother, spoiled stepsisters, overworked Cinderella, fairy godmother, glass slipper, charming prince, and, of course, happily-ever-after. What gives this book its flavor is the artwork. Within its Mexican setting, the characters are olive-skinned and dark-haired. Cultural references abound, as when a messenger comes carrying a banner announcing a “FIESTA” in beautiful papel picado. Cinderella is the picture of beauty, with her hair up in ribbons and flowers and her typically Mexican many-layered white dress. The companion volume, Snow White, set in Japan and illustrated by Misa Saburi, follows the same format. The simplified text tells the story of the beautiful princess sent to the forest by her wicked stepmother to be “done away with,” the dwarves that take her in, and, eventually, the happily-ever-after ending. Here too, what gives the book its flavor is the artwork. The characters wear traditional clothing, and the dwarves’ house has the requisite shoji screens, tatami mats and cherry blossoms in the garden. The puzzling question is, why the board-book presentation? Though the text is simplified, it’s still beyond the board-book audience, and the illustrations deserve full-size books.

A nice but not requisite purchase. (Board book/fairy tale. 3-5)