A cute canine story that encourages gratitude as well as compassion toward prisoners and the disabled.
In this children’s book, a service dog for veterans finds a new home.
The Ginsburg sisters’ debut was inspired by the Dogs 4 Disabled Veterans partnership with the Martin County Correctional Institute in Florida on “a Train-the-Trainer program called B.A.R.K. (Beacon Among Rescued K9s).” The authors’ dog, Prince, was trained by a prison inmate, Mr. Albert, through this scheme. But due to his Addison’s disease, Prince couldn’t become a full-fledged service dog; instead, he lived in foster homes before being adopted. In 14 letters, Prince updates Mr. Albert on his new life with a human mom and dad, two young sisters, and his “puppy brother,” Bailey. His missives resemble those of an excited kid writing home from camp. But with the text-speak acronyms (like OMG and TBH), he also sounds like a teenage girl—“Love … it! Heehee … LOL.” The word “love” is always accompanied by a heart icon, a rather cutesy affectation. Still, it’s impossible to forget that the narrator is actually a dog: he loves chasing lizards and ends most letters with “Ta-ta for now. Lick, lick, and woof, wooof.” Prince tells Mr. Albert about a visit from the family’s Kentucky cousins, and of phoning to reassure a doggy friend who’s afraid of an impending thunderstorm. He learns to bring his mom her misplaced glasses, and sparks a panic about rabies when he catches Susie the squirrel. There are also some mild scatological incidents that are likely to amuse Captain Underpants fans: “Geez, I really need to go potty. Gotta run” and “I sometimes chase my tail trying to smell my own farts.” The didactic purpose of the book—which features adorable black-and-white images by debut illustrator Jacobson—is clear in its focus on disabilities and volunteerism as well as its vocabulary lessons. Any potentially unfamiliar words are explained in footnotes and helpfully gathered into a glossary. But the definitions are not always straightforward: for example, “Complimentary is an expression used when explaining you liked what someone did.” The authors plan a sequel; a portion of this volume’s proceeds will go to B.A.R.K.
A cute canine story that encourages gratitude as well as compassion toward prisoners and the disabled.Pub Date: Feb. 19, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-9997403-0-9
Page Count: 142
Publisher: Keshare, Inc.
Review Posted Online: April 20, 2018
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
In contrast to the carbs and desserts pictured, though sweet, this is unlikely to stick with readers.
A romance for carb (and pun!) lovers who dance to their own drummers and don’t give up on their dreams.
Bagel is a guy who loves to dance; when he’s tapping and twirling, he doesn’t feel plain. The problem is, he can’t find a partner for the Cherry Jubilee Dance Contest. Poppy says his steps are half-baked. Pretzel, “who was at the spa getting a salt rub…told him his moves didn’t cut the mustard.” He strikes out in Sweet City, too, with Croissant, Doughnut, and Cake. But just when he’s given up, he hears the music from the contest and can’t help moving his feet. And an echoing tap comes back to him. Could it be a partner at last? Yep, and she just happens to smell sweet and have frosting piled high. Bagel and Cupcake crush the contest, but winning the trophy? That “was just icing on the cake,” as the final sentence reads, the two standing proudly with a blue ribbon and trophy, hearts filling the space above and between them. Dardik’s digital illustrations are pastel confections. Sometimes just the characters’ heads are the treats, and other times the whole body is the foodstuff, with tiny arms and legs added on. Even the buildings are like something from “Hansel and Gretel.” However, this pun-filled narrative is just one of many of its ilk, good for a few yuks but without much staying power.
In contrast to the carbs and desserts pictured, though sweet, this is unlikely to stick with readers. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4549-2239-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sterling
Review Posted Online: Sept. 17, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A whimsical tale calculated to teach kids mathematical concepts.
A small butterfly is keen on big numbers in Benun’s picture book.
Pebbles, a monarch butterfly, loves to count. One day, he begins to wonder what the biggest number is, and he flutters around asking his animal friends about the biggest numbers they know. A camel knows the temperature of the sun, an eel mentions the number of volts of electricity in a lightning bolt, and a group of ants describe what 20 quadrillion of something looks like. Pebbles continues his quest until, after a narrow, eagle-assisted escape from a tsunami (“Thanks a sextillion,” the newly number-savvy Pebbles enthuses), he meets another butterfly who teaches him about the concept of infinity. Pebbles’ journey takes him to many global ecosystems where, with the help of characters including the East Asian Ms. Scientist, he learns about numbers, other animals, and weather phenomena like avalanches and earthquakes. Helpful “Number Notes,” which provide mathematical information along with additional facts about animals in small sidebars, are peppered throughout the narrative. The adorable full-color illustrations by Watson are set against mixed-media collaged backgrounds, which add layers of depth to the images. The representation of a female scientist is a lovely touch as well. Benun’s engaging story will appeal to children of a variety of ages and levels of mathematical skill.
A whimsical tale calculated to teach kids mathematical concepts.Pub Date: Jan. 24, 2022
ISBN: 9781737818601
Page Count: 48
Publisher: The Biggest Number LLC
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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