by Suzanne Chiew ; illustrated by Caroline Pedler ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2017
The tale is an adequate discussion starter on conservation of natural resources but not so great a story.
A resourceful badger helps his friends find water in a tale of conservation and cooperation.
One hot summer day, Badger is fixing Rabbit's umbrella when Mouse reports that the stream is dry. Hedgehog worries about his flowers, and Mouse (though she and the other animals are naked) worries about her laundry. Practical Badger wonders what they'll drink. The rounded, button-eyed animals pool what water they have and travel the forest in search of more, sharing their supply with frogs rendered homeless by the dry pond. In a double-page spread that requires a 90-degree rotation, they trudge until they discover a boulder blocking a mountain pool from flowing downstream. Aided by his friends—even the smallest frog—Badger uses a branch as a lever and dislodges the boulder. The rains finally come after the water flows downstream, and the animals praise Badger for the rain barrels he has abruptly constructed. The messages of generosity and teamwork are laudable, but the characters are generic; except for Badger's problem-solving skills, the animals have no distinguishing traits. Chiew's simple text and Pedler's soft, bright illustrations are gentle but bland. For equally simple but more engaging tales of helpful animal friends, Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry's Little Blue Truck (2008) or Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman's Bear Feels Sick (2007) would come in handy.
The tale is an adequate discussion starter on conservation of natural resources but not so great a story. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-6801-0040-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: Dec. 20, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2017
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by Suzanne Chiew ; illustrated by Sean Julian
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by Suzanne Chiew ; illustrated by Caroline Pedler
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by Suzanne Chiew ; illustrated by Caroline Pedler
by Carol Lynn Pearson ; illustrated by Jane Sanders ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 17, 2020
An unfortunately simplistic delivery of a well-intentioned message.
Drawing on lyrics from her Mormon children’s hymn of the same title, Pearson explores diversity and acceptance in a more secular context.
Addressing people of varying ages, races, origins, and abilities in forced rhymes that omit the original version’s references to Jesus, various speakers describe how they—unlike “some people”—will “show [their] love for” their fellow humans. “If you don’t talk as most people do / some people talk and laugh at you,” a child tells a tongue-tied classmate. “But I won’t! / I won’t! / I’ll talk with you / and giggle too. / That’s how I’ll show my love for you.” Unfortunately, many speakers’ actions feel vague and rather patronizing even as they aim to include and reassure. “I know you bring such interesting things,” a wheelchair user says, welcoming a family “born far, far away” who arrives at the airport; the adults wear Islamic clothing. As pink- and brown-skinned worshipers join a solitary brown-skinned person who somehow “[doesn’t] pray as some people pray” on a church pew, a smiling, pink-skinned worshiper’s declaration that “we’re all, I see, one family” raises echoes of the problematic assertion, “I don’t see color.” The speakers’ exclamations of “But I won’t!” after noting others’ prejudiced behavior reads more as self-congratulation than promise of inclusion. Sanders’ geometric, doll-like human figures are cheery but stiff, and the text’s bold, uppercase typeface switches jarringly to cursive for the refrain, “That’s how I’ll show my love for you.” Characters’ complexions include paper-white, yellow, pink, and brown.
An unfortunately simplistic delivery of a well-intentioned message. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 17, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4236-5395-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Gibbs Smith
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
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by Carol Lynn Pearson ; illustrated by Corey Egbert
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 11, 2023
An upbeat tale with a much-needed message: Imagination and positivity can save the day.
In this picture book from pop star Kevin Jonas and his wife, TV personality Danielle Jonas, a rainy day forces a child to find an alternate way to enjoy the beach.
Family beach day is one of Bella’s favorite things. She loves splashing in the waves, jumping from rock to rock, and building sand castles. Today, however, the weather isn’t cooperating, but Bella isn’t upset. “It will just have to stop raining. That’s all.” Disappointment sets in when her family tells her that beach day is off. Teary Bella rejects suggested indoor pastimes like board games, musical jam sessions, or reading stories together, and she retreats to her room. Dejected, Bella consoles herself with her stuffed bunny, Mr. Bonkers, until her parents and sister, Emma, knock on her door with a surprise: “BEDROOM BEACH DAY!” With just a few household items—a big lamp for the sun, a fan for the ocean breeze, a blue blanket for water, and pillows for rocks—and a large dose of imagination, Bella’s bedroom is transformed. A flexible attitude from all helps Bella—and readers—realize that things may not always go as planned…but sometimes they can be even better than we expected. Whimsical, cartoonish drawings and a dialogue-driven narrative turn a setback into an uplifting family experience. Bella and her family are light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An upbeat tale with a much-needed message: Imagination and positivity can save the day. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: July 11, 2023
ISBN: 9780593352106
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
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by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson
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