Still, the Langs get across that there are all types of kids in this world, and teachers could easily springboard to asking...
Rhyming verse explores individuality among kids.
“Some kids are sloppy. / Some kids are neat. / Some kids chew their food so / you can see what they eat.” Some pick their noses, some wear socks with sandals, some leap, some crawl, some prefer the sand to the water. Whether one is a “shy kid, / a pie kid, / an always-asking-why kid...a book kid, / a hook kid, / a really-loves-to-cook kid, / to all kids we say, // each one of you is special. / KID, KID, HOORAY!” As the kids are all animals, size and race are not attributes addressed, but the illustrations do show kids with disabilities—the kid who paints does so digitally from a wheelchair, and the “book kid” reads Braille. Max Lang’s illustrations are a mix of photo backgrounds and props and expressive cartoon animals cut from white paper and still sporting white borders. Not all the rhymes work well: “Some kids are good at math. / Some kids need lots of sleep. // Some kids run real fast. / Some kids love to eat.” And the illustration for this last is a bit troubling—of the six watching the racers while stuffing their faces, only one could be said to have a waistline.
Still, the Langs get across that there are all types of kids in this world, and teachers could easily springboard to asking students to write about themselves. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 15, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-553-53783-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 24, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
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