A humorous tale in which everyone gets what they want—even a negative cat!
Sometimes things aren’t what they seem at first.
A child with brown skin has been asking for a cat for 427 days! His family finally says yes if he agrees to certain conditions, including reading every day. Uh-oh; reading is not this child’s favorite activity. When the cat arrives, he reveals his true personality—gloomy. He won’t play, listen to jokes, or fetch. What’s worse, he leaves a hairball on the carpet, poops in the vestibule, and stares at the wall. What’s even worse is that the kid’s parents point out their unmet conditions. What to do? Well, as it turns out, what the cat likes best is what the child likes least—reading. An unusual cat for sure. Set against brown-paper backgrounds, the illustrations feature muted tones of orange, pink, blue, and green. Attention has been paid to portraying a variety of skin tones, from lighter beige to deeper brown, both within the protagonist’s interracial family and among his friends; however, the mother’s facial features lack consistency. Varying compositions in the spreads adds to the tension and resolution of the story. Understated text brings a dry sense of humor to the child’s plight even if the interactions between the child and the family seem at times a bit adversarial. An author’s note describes the true event on which this story is based and offers readers ideas on how they can go read to animals. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A humorous tale in which everyone gets what they want—even a negative cat! (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 31, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-399-25719-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: June 15, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2021
A light dose of natural history, with occasional “EWWW!” for flavor
Having surveyed worms, spiders, flies, and head lice, Gravel continues her Disgusting Critters series with a quick hop through toad fact and fancy.
The facts are briefly presented in a hand-lettered–style typeface frequently interrupted by visually emphatic interjections (“TOXIN,” “PREY,” “EWWW!”). These are, as usual, paired to simply drawn cartoons with comments and punch lines in dialogue balloons. After casting glances at the common South American ancestor of frogs and toads, and at such exotic species as the Emei mustache toad (“Hey ladies!”), Gravel focuses on the common toad, Bufo bufo. Using feminine pronouns throughout, she describes diet and egg-laying, defense mechanisms, “warts,” development from tadpole to adult, and of course how toads shed and eat their skins. Noting that global warming and habitat destruction have rendered some species endangered or extinct, she closes with a plea and, harking back to those South American origins, an image of an outsized toad, arm in arm with a dark-skinned lad (in a track suit), waving goodbye: “Hasta la vista!”
A light dose of natural history, with occasional “EWWW!” for flavor . (Informational picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: July 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-77049-667-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: April 12, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2016
A tasty holiday confection.
Actor Witherspoon’s latest sees her exuberant young hero returning to celebrate the holidays.
Realizing that it’s nearly Christmas, Busy Betty launches into a brainstorming whirlwind; Betty wants to buy the perfect gifts but lacks the necessary funds. Last summer, Betty and best friend Mae had good luck running a lemonade stand, so the kids start a Christmas cookie stand. But chilly temperatures keep prospective customers away even after Betty and Mae sing loud, creative Christmas carols to get people’s attention and build snowpeople to create the illusion of customers. When Betty’s dog, Frank, accidentally crashes the stand and ruins the beautiful treats, a distraught Betty is sure that “Christmas is ruined!” But upon discovering one intact cookie, Betty has a great idea and dashes to the kitchen to whip up some perfect presents. On Christmas morning, Betty’s homemade gifts are scrumptious and tailor-made for their recipients—a holiday success! Though the story is slightly predictable, Betty’s inimitable voice (“Sweet cinnamon biscuits, it’s Christmas!”) sets it apart; Witherspoon ably captures the emotional extremes that young children often grapple with. Yan’s illustrations effectively portray the steps of Betty’s journey, using a vivid palette of greens and pinks and a dynamic use of perspective to keep wiggly young readers entranced. An appended recipe for cookie bars encourages readers to follow Betty’s worthy example. Busy Betty presents white; Mae is tan-skinned with dark hair.
A tasty holiday confection. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2024
ISBN: 9780593525159
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Flamingo Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2024
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