This tale of who’s the preferred pet will charm animal lovers of all stripes.
Who’s Lily’s favorite pet? Pussycat Mr. Fuzzbuster thinks he knows.
Mr. Fuzzbuster and the ponytailed white girl have been together since “he fit in a teacup and she fit in diapers.” Even though Fishy Face the goldfish, King the lizard, Feathers the parrot, and Bruiser the dog have joined the family, Mr. Fuzzbuster’s still sure he’s the favorite; he even has documentary proof in an old drawing of Lily’s. The others still have doubts, so the pets draft a note asking Lily to decide who’s the favorite once and for all. Lily turns to Fishy Face, causing Mr. Fuzzbuster to worry….But Lily says, “Fishy Face, you are my favorite…” (here Hemingway introduces suspense with a page turn) “…goldfish.” She tells her pets in turn that each is her favorite of its species. Certain he is the favorite of favorites, Mr. Fuzzbuster consoles the others by telling them how catlike they are (and how he has never considered eating them)…but when Lily specifies that Mr. Fuzzbuster is simply her favorite cat, he decides to leave—until he remembers who his favorite is. McAnulty’s text, related in third-person with a tight focus on Mr. Fuzzbuster, slyly exploits the protagonist’s overinflated ego. Hemingway’s bold and bright cartoon illustrations, a mixture of spot and full-bleed on patterned backgrounds, feature expressive animals and provide a nifty punch line at the close.
This tale of who’s the preferred pet will charm animal lovers of all stripes. (Picture book. 3-8)Pub Date: Feb. 2, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-5039-4838-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: Oct. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2016
Though Jim may have been grumpy because a chimp’s an ape and not a monkey, readers will enjoy and maybe learn from his...
It’s a wonderful day in the jungle, so why’s Jim Panzee so grumpy?
When Jim woke up, nothing was right: "The sun was too bright, the sky was too blue, and bananas were too sweet." Norman the gorilla asks Jim why he’s so grumpy, and Jim insists he’s not. They meet Marabou, to whom Norman confides that Jim’s grumpy. When Jim denies it again, Marabou points out that Jim’s shoulders are hunched; Jim stands up. When they meet Lemur, Lemur points out Jim’s bunchy eyebrows; Jim unbunches them. When he trips over Snake, Snake points out Jim’s frown…so Jim puts on a grimacelike smile. Everyone has suggestions to brighten his mood: dancing, singing, swinging, swimming…but Jim doesn’t feel like any of that. He gets so fed up, he yells at his animal friends and stomps off…then he feels sad about yelling. He and Norman (who regrets dancing with that porcupine) finally just have a sit and decide it’s a wonderful day to be grumpy—which, of course, makes them both feel a little better. Suzanne Lang’s encouragement to sit with your emotions (thus allowing them to pass) is nearly Buddhist in its take, and it will be great bibliotherapy for the crabby, cranky, and cross. Oscar-nominated animator Max Lang’s cartoony illustrations lighten the mood without making light of Jim’s mood; Jim has comically long arms, and his facial expressions are quite funny.
Though Jim may have been grumpy because a chimp’s an ape and not a monkey, readers will enjoy and maybe learn from his journey. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 15, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-553-53786-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Feb. 18, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A heartwarming reminder to embrace change.
A dog who belongs to an expecting couple adjusts to home life as a new baby arrives.
Pepita, the family pet, is beloved and still so little they call her Bebita (baby girl). But Pepita’s world is changing as her Mami and Papi await the arrival of a baby. Pepita is used to being spoiled “with treats and tummy rubs and my favorite fluffy pillow….But lately, things have been changing.” As the home gets new additions like a crib and gifts from the grandparents, Pepita feels left out, no longer the center of attention. Once the baby arrives, Pepita tries to adjust but is kept up at night by crying and doesn’t get playtime like before. But Pepita’s sweetness shines through as she finds ways to help out and bond with the new baby. “I feel so proud to be the big sister,” she concludes. The book is sprinkled with Spanish phrases, reflecting that Pepita is part of a Latine household; readers unfamiliar with Spanish will find the glossary helpful. Illustrations are warm and cuddly throughout, and the story is highly relatable; soon-to-be big siblings fretting over a new arrival will find it especially comforting. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A heartwarming reminder to embrace change. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2023
ISBN: 9780593566985
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
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