Both cute and creepy; for those seeking relief from unrelieved sweetness in their children's books.
Some parents are blind to the faults of their beloved babies.
Mr. and Mrs. Deer are desperate for a baby to love and cuddle and read stories to. One morning they find a roaring bundle on their doorstep: their dream come true! Mr. Deer thinks the baby looks peculiar—it's bright blue, with a lot of sharp teeth—but Mrs. Deer won't hear a word of it. The hungry baby won't eat cheese or toast or vegetables. The Deers ask Uncle Duncan, a purple owl, for advice; Duncan declares that the baby needs warm milk. The Deers heat some in the kitchen, and when they return, Duncan is gone. The same mysterious mishap occurs when the Deers consult Aunt Agnes, a cute blue bunny, for advice on changing baby, and go to Dr. Fox to see if baby is sick. Granny Bear saves the day when she lifts the baby firmly to burp it. She pats and pats and pats, triggering an enormous eruption that unleashes green food bits...and the three missing animal advisors! Grandma Bear declares that it's a "Monster!" Puttock's fractured fairy tale unfolds with measured mirth, and all of Shireen's digitally depicted creatures are adorable, even the little monster.
Both cute and creepy; for those seeking relief from unrelieved sweetness in their children's books. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5903-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Review Posted Online: April 24, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Pleasingly sweet paranormal activity for the preschool crowd.
A group of silly ghosts have nighttime fun.
The duo behind Bouncing Bunnies! (2025) has turned a supernatural page. Ten bright white wisps with animated eyes and mouths fly into the night to see what kind of mischief they can create. But first they must sneak down from the attic: “Tiptoe, tiptoe! Nice and slow. / Tiptoe, tiptoe! Don’t laugh, though!” When they burst into the moonlight, they are then ready to… (a page turn intensifies the anticipation) “GLIDE!” They soar around town: “Glide, glide, glide! Faster now. / Glide, glide, glide! Love that—WOW!” Audiences will be up on their feet, swooping to and fro. These ghosties also like to spin, giggle, and—the most important action of all—shout “BOOOOOO!” Each sprite is surrounded by a specifically colored aura, and some carry an accessory such as a book or a lantern, which helps differentiate them. Various nocturnal animals also make appearances. After their energetic activities, the ghosts sleepily head back home, though here the narrative drops, and yawns are shown only in the illustrations. Adults may wish to add their own commentary in order to settle storytime listeners, reeling them back in from raucous spooking.
Pleasingly sweet paranormal activity for the preschool crowd. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 14, 2026
ISBN: 9781665990875
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: April 20, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
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