This German import (by way of Scotland) is sweet as tea cakes.
Something is amiss in Berry Woods!
Evie the Strawberry Fairy’s magic wand has gone missing, and then Evie notices her strawberries have turned bright blue. This latter occurrence is the titular “strawberry surprise,” and Evie is curious but not alarmed. The same can’t be said of three friends—an unnamed hedgehog, Summer the Sunshine Fairy, and Laurel the Tree Sprite—who all come to Evie voicing fears about “a scary Hogwitchit [who] has moved into Berry Woods.” Summer is fearful after seeing a strange shadow, Laurel’s hair is stained orange, and the hedgehog has red splotches all over his quills. Resourceful Evie packs a bag with supplies that end up coming in handy when she and her friends go off in search of the Hogwitchit. Lo and behold, it’s actually a vole who prides himself on his berry jam. They quickly discover that the vole mistook Evie’s magic wand for a spoon and has been using it to try to make jam, and this mix-up explains all the strange surprises and changes the friends have experienced. Evie quickly puts things to rights and gifts the vole a trowel he can use as a spoon. Everyone enjoys jam cookies at book’s end. Dahle’s illustrations are as cozy as her story, the interiors of these woodland homes snug melds of nature and found human objects. The animals are lightly anthropomorphized; humanoid characters present White.
This German import (by way of Scotland) is sweet as tea cakes. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 6, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-78250-638-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Floris
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
Though it is light on specific information about how and why teeth are lost, most children will enjoy relating to Bear in...
Wilson and Chapman continue this popular series that began with Bear Snores On (2002).
Bear has invited his friends for lunch, when “something wiggled, and it wobbled…something moved when he chewed! It was… / Bear’s / loose / tooth!” In full-bleed spreads with a palette dominated by blues and greens, Chapman ably portrays Bear’s concern over this dental dilemma as well as the genuine empathy and determination of his many animal friends when they try to help remove the tooth. On several pages Bear looks right at readers as he reacts to his predicament, bringing them immediately into the story. After Hare, Mouse, Wren, Owl, Badger and others all fail at prying it loose, Bear “used his tongue and…gave a little nudge” until it falls out. A fairy comes as Bear sleeps and leaves “blueberries where Bear’s tooth had been!” Wilson keeps young readers engaged with rhyming text that keeps the gentle action flowing.
Though it is light on specific information about how and why teeth are lost, most children will enjoy relating to Bear in his latest oh-so-cozy adventure. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 30, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4169-5855-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: July 5, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2011
Disney art paired with an affirming message makes for a pleasant diversion.
Popular Disney characters guide children toward independence and empowerment.
Childhood involves taking small steps into enchanted lands of self-discovery. These forays lead to challenges but wonders, too. Who better to help kids along this path than celebrated Disney and Pixar icons, idolized courtesy of cinema and TV screens? Children sharing this book with grown-ups will likely be more thrilled at simply spotting and identifying cartoon favorites on these pages than listening to, let alone contemplating, the lengthy, somewhat overblown text, which may go over their heads. After all, very young children won’t yet know what lies ahead—or have figured out what they’ve achieved or will accomplish—when they’re on the brink of exciting life journeys. Recognizing and naming favorites—characters from Frozen, Up, Coco, and Moana—will boost many children’s self-esteem, one of this book’s credos. Some classic characters might be less familiar to today’s younger set, but they’re still powerfully appealing. Many words, set in larger type throughout, are eye-catching. The inimitable Disney illustrative and design style remains captivating and transcends generations. Though many characters from earlier Disney works are White (Alice, Peter, Pinocchio), those from more recent films reflect racial and ethnic diversity, among them Moana, who is Polynesian, and Coco’s Miguel, who is Mexican. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Disney art paired with an affirming message makes for a pleasant diversion. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 9781368077750
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Disney Press
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
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