A clever, animal-centered adaptation that deserves to become a holiday favorite.
A reworking of a classic Christmas poem casts animals as the main characters in this picture book.
All the mice are asleep on the night before Christmas, as readers and listeners familiar with Clement Clarke Moore’s celebrated poem know. Illustrator Dunn reinforces the opening line by depicting a mouse looking quite comfortable under a quilt, sound asleep. But rather than “children” being nestled in their beds, here there are baby bunnies, and readers will quickly realize that the star of this retelling is Papa Rabbit. He is the great-great-grandfather of Paisley Rabbit, the hero of Richardson and Dunn’s Paisley Rabbit and the Treehouse Contest (2018). It’s Papa Rabbit, with his bright eyes, charming nose, and quirky nightcap, who reveals that St. Nick is a large polar bear delivering gifts to all. Richardson’s witty changes keep the basics of the poem while introducing specific animal descriptions: “His eyes how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry! / His nose was all wet and his cheeks were all hairy.” As in the original, the narrator and St. Nick have a close encounter before the jolly visitor wishes a Merry Christmas to all. While the rabbit and St. Nick are both anthropomorphized, the reindeer remain in their traditional animal forms and harnesses. Dunn’s gorgeous paintings are enchanting, full of Christmas cheer, and the ingenious spin makes this a wonderful addition to any collection, even those with several versions of the poem.
A clever, animal-centered adaptation that deserves to become a holiday favorite.Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-73-645650-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Impossible Dreams Publishing Company
Review Posted Online: Aug. 9, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A predictable series entry, mitigated as usual by the protagonists’ perennially energetic positivity.
A holiday-centered spinoff from the duo behind the inspired The Day the Crayons Quit (2013).
With Green Crayon on vacation, how can the waxy ones pull off a colorful St. Patrick’s Day celebration with Duncan, their (unseen) owner? Through their signature combo of cooperation and unwavering enthusiasm, of course. Blue and Yellow collaborate on a field of shamrocks that blends—however spottily—into green. Nearly invisible White Crayon supplies an otherwise unclothed light-skinned leprechaun with undies, and Orange draws a pair of pants that match the wee creature’s iconic beard and hair. Pink applies colors to a vest, and Purple, a natty jacket and boots. Chunky Toddler Crayon contributes a “perfect” scribbly blue hat; Beige and Brown team up for the leprechaun’s harp. In arguably the best bit, Black exuberantly manifests a decidedly unvariegated rainbow, while Gold’s pot of coins is right on the money, hue-wise. Their ardor undimmed by the holiday’s missing customary color, everyone assembles to party. Though the repartee among the crayons isn’t as developed as in previous outings, the book hews close to Daywalt and Jeffers’ winning formula, and there’s still enough here to keep readers chuckling. And, in a droll “wait for it” moment nicely calibrated for storytime, Green returns from vacation, sunglasses and suitcase in hand: “Did I miss anything while I was gone?” (The cover illustrations do hint at some Green-inflected remediation.)
A predictable series entry, mitigated as usual by the protagonists’ perennially energetic positivity. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2024
ISBN: 9780593624333
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Oct. 21, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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