Readers will be eager to see more of this spunky, confident, daring character.
Beatrice Bly, super spy, uses her practiced skills to solve the mysterious disappearance of her classroom’s pet hamster.
Bea is a seasoned sleuth with specific rules about how she conducts her important work. She never reveals her spy identity (except to best friend Nora), observes and records everything, and works quietly. On the morning when Miss Leland announces that Edgar is missing from his cage, Bea begins to explore a hunch or two, discussing with Nora where Edgar might be found on school grounds. Taking note of the teachers’ special luncheon that day and recalling that Edgar loves to eat fruits and veggies, Bea undertakes a secret mission during recess, searching the halls, where she finds a specific clue that leads to a happy conclusion. Expressive cartoon artwork depicts a contemporary school setting with a diverse population—Miss Leland has brown skin, and Nora presents Asian. Beatrice is White and behaves quite boldly, with dark glasses, a listening device, and stealth poses (often depicted in multiple iterations in a spread). The linear narrative moves the intrigue along through conversations between Nora and Bea while her detective dexterity brings her closer to resolution. Piecing together the evidence will be obvious to some, but the fun will be in watching Bea perform in her chosen vocation. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 50% of actual size.)
Readers will be eager to see more of this spunky, confident, daring character. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 6, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-64595-028-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Pixel+Ink
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers.
Echoing the meter of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Ward uses catchy original rhymes to describe the variety of nests birds create.
Each sweet stanza is complemented by a factual, engaging description of the nesting habits of each bird. Some of the notes are intriguing, such as the fact that the hummingbird uses flexible spider web to construct its cup-shaped nest so the nest will stretch as the chicks grow. An especially endearing nesting behavior is that of the emperor penguin, who, with unbelievable patience, incubates the egg between his tummy and his feet for up to 60 days. The author clearly feels a mission to impart her extensive knowledge of birds and bird behavior to the very young, and she’s found an appealing and attractive way to accomplish this. The simple rhymes on the left page of each spread, written from the young bird’s perspective, will appeal to younger children, and the notes on the right-hand page of each spread provide more complex factual information that will help parents answer further questions and satisfy the curiosity of older children. Jenkins’ accomplished collage illustrations of common bird species—woodpecker, hummingbird, cowbird, emperor penguin, eagle, owl, wren—as well as exotics, such as flamingoes and hornbills, are characteristically naturalistic and accurate in detail.
A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers. (author’s note, further resources) (Informational picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 18, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4424-2116-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2014
Warm but underdone.
In this picture book from actor Gyllenhaal and his partner, Caruso, a child and his uncle bond on a fantastic journey.
Leo, an avid dancer, is dismayed when Uncle Mo visits—he’s in town for a “rubber band convention.” Illustrations show both with wavy brown hair and light tan skin. Not only does Leo think his uncle is rather dull, he’s also leery of Uncle Mo’s many rules. A rather abrupt narrative shift occurs when the pair inexplicably drive into another dimension. Here they encounter Great-Aunt Gloria (who is very tall and presents Black) and Uncle Munkle Carbunkle (who is very short and light-skinned), who guide them through the Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles. Unimpressed with Uncle Mo, Great-Aunt Gloria says he must take a quiz on “Auntieology and Uncleology.” After several wrong answers, Uncle Mo has a final chance at redemption: He must state his nephew’s favorite activity. When Leo springs into action to dance for his clueless uncle, a mishap leaves him mortified and un-bespectacled. Enter Uncle Mo to save the day by using a rubber band to secure Leo’s glasses. While Santat’s energetic illustrations do much to clarify the narrative, they can’t fully make up for the disjointed storytelling—it’s never clear why the two have entered this dimension or why Leo is suddenly so eager to help Uncle Mo. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Warm but underdone. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781250776990
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
© Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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