The message may never grow old, but the artwork and language will.
The day dawns sweet, but a big hairy bear gets up on the wrong side of the bed and straight into Grumpsville.
In newcomer Jones’ story of mood contagion, Mouse is inspired by the glorious morning to make cupcakes, one of which he will bring to Bear, his sweet-toothed friend. But Bear isn’t home when Mouse arrives to deliver the cupcake, so Mouse leaves it on Bear’s table. Bear, readers learn, is out and about bellyaching. His boots are too big and too uncomfortable, which causes him to stomp, collapsing Mole’s tunnel, which causes Mole to fling his shovel in disgust, which causes Hedgehog to trip and roll over the shovel and down the hill, where he inadvertently sticks a spine into Fox’s bum, which causes Fox to hurl his groceries in the air, which land on the squirrel family, whose ruckus wakens Owl’s owlets. “Bicker! Squabble!” Understandably, the weather turns foul, forcing Bear home, where he finds the cupcake, cracks a smile, and offers an apology, which cascades through the forest as the others follow suit. It’s a nicely concrete demonstration of what goes around, comes around. Less effective is the saccharine artwork, which telegraphs every beat. And Jones’ language feels likewise forced, alternately trying too hard—“Mouse tappity-tap-tapped on Bear’s door”—and simplistic—“Now everyone was in a BIG BAD mood.”
The message may never grow old, but the artwork and language will. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: March 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-68010-012-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: Jan. 8, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2016
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it.
What happens when a robot washes up alone on an island?
“Everything was just right on the island.” Brown beautifully re-creates the first days of Roz, the protagonist of his Wild Robot novels, as she adapts to living in the natural world. A storm-tossed ship, seen in the opening just before the title page, and a packing crate are the only other human-made objects to appear in this close-up look at the robot and her new home. Roz emerges from the crate, and her first thought as she sets off up a grassy hill—”This must be where I belong”—is sweetly glorious, a note of recognition rather than conquest. Roz learns to move, hide, and communicate like the creatures she meets. When she discovers an orphaned egg—and the gosling Brightbill, who eventually hatches—her decision to be his mother seems a natural extension of her adaptation. Once he flies south for the winter, her quiet wait across seasons for his return is a poignant portrayal of separation and change. Brown’s clean, precise lines and deep, light-filled colors offer a sense of what Roz might be seeing, suggesting a place that is alive yet deeply serene and radiant. Though the book stands alone, it adds an immensely appealing dimension to Roz’s world. Round thumbnails offer charming peeks into the island world, depicting Roz’s animal neighbors and Brightbill’s maturation.
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 24, 2025
ISBN: 9780316669467
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle...
Making things is difficult work. Readers will recognize the stages of this young heroine’s experience as she struggles to realize her vision.
First comes anticipation. The artist/engineer is spotted jauntily pulling a wagonload of junkyard treasures. Accompanied by her trusty canine companion, she begins drawing plans and building an assemblage. The narration has a breezy tone: “[S]he makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” The colorful caricatures and creations contrast with the digital black outlines on a white background that depict an urban neighborhood. Intermittent blue-gray panels break up the white expanses on selected pages showing sequential actions. When the first piece doesn’t turn out as desired, the protagonist tries again, hoping to achieve magnificence. A model of persistence, she tries many adjustments; the vocabulary alone offers constructive behaviors: she “tinkers,” “wrenches,” “fiddles,” “examines,” “stares” and “tweaks.” Such hard work, however, combines with disappointing results, eventually leading to frustration, anger and injury. Explosive emotions are followed by defeat, portrayed with a small font and scaled-down figures. When the dog, whose expressions have humorously mirrored his owner’s through each phase, retrieves his leash, the resulting stroll serves them well. A fresh perspective brings renewed enthusiasm and—spoiler alert—a most magnificent scooter sidecar for a loyal assistant.
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle characterization for maximum delight. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-55453-704-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014
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