Gently soothing but may struggle to hold readers’ attention.
Rowley adapts his adult novel The Guncle (2021)—a warm and witty tale of loss and family—into picture-book format.
Siblings Maisie, 9, and Grant, 6, are spending the summer with their caftan-wearing GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick) under the warm, sunny blue skies of Palm Springs. The kids are still reeling from the death of their mother, while GUP is confronting a loss of his own (in the original book, his partner died; here, a framed picture hints at the source of his grief). But GUP is determined to cheer everyone up with some perfectly fabulous activities: taking a dip in the pool (filled with oversize floats shaped like Popsicles, doughnuts, and fruit), visiting a dinosaur-themed roadside attraction, and adopting a rambunctious puppy. Nothing works—until an impromptu Christmas in July celebration in the balmy heat elicits smiles. And on the children’s last night, GUP reassures them that while in the future, festivities may feel different, “There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s okay to make up new rules to help you heal.” Young readers with LGBTQ+ family members who live unapologetically out loud will see themselves in this earnestly told story, though others may be put off by the slow pacing and lengthy, at times didactic text. Though Rowley emphasizes the characters’ collective loss, Kaban’s pencil and gouache art features wide-eyed, expressive faces that typically read as disappointed or bored. The main characters are tan-skinned.
Gently soothing but may struggle to hold readers’ attention. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 19, 2026
ISBN: 9798217001873
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2026
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available.
A ghost learns to appreciate his differences.
The little ghost protagonist of this title is unusual. He’s a quilt, not a lightweight sheet like his parents and friends. He dislikes being different despite his mom’s reassurance that his ancestors also had unconventional appearances. Halloween makes the little ghost happy, though. He decides to watch trick-or-treaters by draping over a porch chair—but lands on a porch rail instead. A mom accompanying her daughter picks him up, wraps him around her chilly daughter, and brings him home with them! The family likes his looks and comforting warmth, and the little ghost immediately feels better about himself. As soon as he’s able to, he flies out through the chimney and muses happily that this adventure happened only due to his being a quilt. This odd but gently told story conveys the importance of self-respect and acceptance of one’s uniqueness. The delivery of this positive message has something of a heavy-handed feel and is rushed besides. It also isn’t entirely logical: The protagonist could have been a different type of covering; a blanket, for instance, might have enjoyed an identical experience. The soft, pleasing illustrations’ palette of tans, grays, white, black, some touches of color, and, occasionally, white text against black backgrounds suggest isolation, such as the ghost feels about himself. Most humans, including the trick-or-treating mom and daughter, have beige skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 66.2% of actual size.)
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7352-6447-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones.
Not even the arrival of autumn can cool down this impetuous squirrel.
Although Squirrel is skeptical about Bird’s vegetable patch (“Nothing is HAPPENING!”), Bird does produce five (count them) lovely pumpkins. Squirrel picks out a favorite: “The enormous orange one.” Bird hints that Squirrel might want to help out; Squirrel sets out to fetch some work gloves and returns to find only four pumpkins. The frequently distracted Squirrel notices more gourds disappearing and leaps to the conclusion that a thief is near. And where’s Bird?! Has Squirrel’s pal also been taken? Diligently detecting, Squirrel finds clues—peck marks, footprints, and more—and produces a sketch of the suspect. As readers will guess, each clue turns out to point to one of Squirrel and Bird’s friends. Turns out Bird was delivering pumpkins to their pals while saving the big one to give to “my very best friend,” Squirrel. But why does Squirrel haul it up a tree? “So the Pumpkin Thief can’t find it, of course!” A page of pumpkin facts provides the learning component common to all titles in this series. Once more, readers will enjoy the pleasure of prediction and repetition, Squirrel’s silly persistence, Bird’s generosity, and the vibrant color illustrations, balancing orange with green.
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 28, 2026
ISBN: 9781464268076
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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