by Steve Smallman ; illustrated by Joëlle Dreidemy ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 14, 2023
A sly tale of trickery and familial bonds.
A lost tiger cub is fluffy, cuddly, and…conniving.
Readers were introduced to the odd household trio—paternal Wolf, childlike Little Lamb, and their alligator, Omelet—in Smallman’s previous works (The Lamb Who Came for Dinner, 2006, etc.). Omelet has since grown and now loves to play fetch. Unfortunately, sometimes he brings back other items instead of the stick. When he triumphantly brings back a sopping wet tiger cub one day, Little Lamb is thrilled. A new, cuddly pet! But alas, they cannot keep her. They must help her find her way back home. On the journey back through the woods, Fluffy the cub becomes increasingly interested in Little Lamb. She eagerly licks Little Lamb while salivating, with expressive eyes that reveal how much she wants a tasty snack. Little Lamb and Wolf think the attention is adorable, but Omelet sees through the ruse. When they make it to Fluffy’s home, will Little Lamb become dinner? Little Lamb’s and Wolf’s obliviousness amps up the silliness, eliciting groans from readers, who will be well aware of Fluffy’s true feelings. Omelet may not be a fuzzy or cute pet (slippery scales and pointy teeth and all), but he’s a devoted one who saves the day. Making use of vignettes and graphic novel–esque panels, Dreidemy’s cartoonish illustrations brim with warmth. Text and art make crystal-clear that found family can be the best family. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A sly tale of trickery and familial bonds. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 14, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-66430-022-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: Nov. 15, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2022
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by Karma Wilson ; illustrated by Jane Chapman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 16, 2024
Cheery fun that will leave series fans “egg”-static.
In his latest outing, Bear and his pals go in search of eggs.
Bear “lumbers with his friends through the Strawberry Vale.” Raven finds a nest; climbing up, “The bear finds eggs!”: a refrain that appears throughout. Instead of eating the robin’s eggs, however, Bear leaves a gift of dried berries in the nest for the “soon-to-be-chicks.” Next, the friends find 10 mallard eggs (as bright blue as the robin’s), and Bear leaves sunflower seeds. Then the wail of Mama Meadowlark, whose bright yellow undercarriage strikes a warm golden note, leads them to promise to find her lost eggs. With his friends’ assistance, Bear finds one, and they decide to paint them “so they aren’t lost again.” Another is discovered, painted, and placed in Hare’s basket. After hours of persistent searching, Bear suddenly spots the remaining two eggs “in a small patch of clover.” Before they can return these eggs, the chicks hatch and rejoin their mother. Back at his lair, Bear, with his troupe, is visited by all 17 chicks and the robin, mallard, and meadowlark moms: “And the bear finds friends!” Though this sweet spring tale centers on finding and painting eggs, it makes no overt references to Easter. The soft green and blue acrylics, predictable rhymes, and rolling rhythm make this series installment another low-key natural read-aloud.
Cheery fun that will leave series fans “egg”-static. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 16, 2024
ISBN: 9781665936552
Page Count: 40
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
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by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2020
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
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