“Because they know it’s true… / The best thing in the world is being happy being you!” (Picture book. 4-8)
Reg loves to munch the veg—unfortunately he’s a T. Rex.
“Reginald the T. Rex had a fierce and mighty roar! / His fierce and mighty footsteps thundered through the jungle floor.” He’s excellent at tooth-gnashing and leaping, but there is one thing that differentiates him from his fellow T. Rexes: “while the other T. Rexes munched on juicy steak… // Reginald the T. Rex ate crunchy carrot cake!” He tells them about the wonders of delicious broccoli, grapes, mangos, parsnips, and a host of other veggies and fruit—but his parents worry about him and others laugh at him. Reg goes in search of other herbivores, but they’re scared of him. Meanwhile, his family and friends miss him. A near disaster on their hunt for Reg brings everyone back together, and they have a veggie party. British author Prasadam-Halls rhymes up a rollicking tale of vegetarianism and individuality. Messages of acceptance of difference and healthy eating are intrinsic to character and story. Ingenious rhymes (with British pronunciations) make for a fun and funny read aloud. Manolessou’s bright purple, green, and orange dinosaurs pop off the pages and may just get listeners up and moving to mimic the dancing, jumping, and running dinos.
“Because they know it’s true… / The best thing in the world is being happy being you!” (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 2, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4197-2494-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: Feb. 19, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2017
A sweet Runaway Bunny book for the pirate set.
While reading a book about pirates, Danny considers sailing away with them. But what if he wants to come home?
As he reads with his mom, little Danny wonders aloud what it would be like to be a pirate. From the comfort of his couch, his questions persist. “What if I don’t like it on the pirate ship? And I want to come back home?” With steadfast love, his mother answers every “What if…?” with confident answers that reassure the young boy. Danny considers many logical barriers to his rescue, including the dangers of the ocean and the possibility that the friendly pirates may want to keep him. His mother’s answers, however, involve the magical element of a bottle filled with "magic spray." She metaphorically shrinks the problems with a few pumps of a handle. These "Alice in Wonderland" solutions seem unjustified given Danny’s reasonable questions. Luckily, the colorful full-spread illustrations simplify the nonsense and provide a mood of happy security throughout the story. Fortenberry’s playful illustrations freely borrow from cartoon conventions; the adorable Danny expresses no doubts about his security through two little dots for eyes.
A sweet Runaway Bunny book for the pirate set. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2321-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: July 5, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2011
An expertly crafted, soulful, and humorous work that tenderly explores identity, culture, and the bond between father and...
Thunder Boy Smith Jr. hates his name.
The Native American boy is named after his father, whose nickname is Big Thunder. Thunder Boy Jr. says his nickname, Little Thunder, makes him "sound like a burp or a fart." Little Thunder loves his dad, but he longs for a name that celebrates something special about him alone. He muses, “I love playing in the dirt, so maybe my name should be Mud in His Ears.…I love powwow dancing. I’m a grass dancer. So maybe my name should be Drums, Drums, and More Drums!” Little Thunder wonders how he can express these feelings to his towering father. However, he need not worry. Big Thunder knows that the time has come for his son to receive a new name, one as vibrant as his blossoming personality. Morales’ animated mixed-media illustrations, reminiscent of her Pura Belpré Award–winning work in Niño Wrestles the World (2013), masterfully use color and perspective to help readers see the world from Little Thunder’s point of view. His admiration of his dad is manifest in depictions of Big Thunder as a gentle giant of a man. The otherwise-muted palette bursts with color as Thunder Boy Jr. proudly enumerates the unique qualities and experiences that could inspire his new name.
An expertly crafted, soulful, and humorous work that tenderly explores identity, culture, and the bond between father and son. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 10, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-316-01372-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: March 15, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2016
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