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
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
WOO-HOO! This is the perfect way to foster healthy self-esteem in little ones.
What’s better than a cheerleading chicken?
Are you ever blue, unsure, tired, or overworked? Do you ever feel lost or overwhelmed? This uplifting book, expressed in delightful, jaunty verse, explains how to lift your spirits pronto: What you need is a booster chicken telling you’re doing great even when you’re not so confident, as when you’re learning or practicing a new skill, for instance. Your feathered champion will be right there, encouraging you all the way, with a loud “WOO HOO!” that’ll keep you going and remove any doubt you’re super terrific. But what if your cheerful chick errs and doesn’t do what it set out to do? Don’t worry—your cheery chicken just needs a reminder that everyone makes mistakes. That alone is a pep talk, enhanced by the wisdom that making mistakes allows everyone to learn and demonstrate they did their best. So forgive yourself, chickens! But the best thing is…instead of relying on someone else—like a chicken—to strengthen your ego, say a generous daily “WOO HOO!” to yourself. This riotous book hits all the right notes and does so succinctly and hilariously. The energetic, comical illustrations, in Boynton’s signature style, will elicit giggles and go far to make the book’s important point. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
WOO-HOO! This is the perfect way to foster healthy self-esteem in little ones. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-316-48679-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2023
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