An offbeat, heartfelt tale of finding companionship.
An anthropomorphic tumbleweed seeks a friend in Bartlett’s latest picture book.
Spike, a spherical tumbleweed with a face, encounters uncomfortable elements as he goes on his trek, including rocky roads and thunder. His offers to befriend various objects and animals are rejected; for example, a chicken is too busy crossing the road, and a flying clock is running late. Spike is thrilled when a tree with a swing offers to play; however, Spike soars too high on the swing, falls off, and lands on an angry slice of crabapple pie. Spike endures other mishaps, including birds who try to “make a nest out of him.” He begins to lose hope until he meets another tumbleweed named Raye. They joyfully tumble away together, and Spike makes up a song about their connection. Eventually, they marry and have tiny tumbleweeds. Young readers will root for the unconventional, earnest protagonist and rejoice when he finds a partner after a calamitous journey. Despite some wacky inclusions (a talking birthday present, a sentient line), the story also features relatable circumstances, as when Spike feels dejected after being told that he can’t attend a party. The book includes fun, quirky elements, including song lyrics. Bartlett’s simple line drawings are offset by solid, colorful backdrops with crayonlike textures and loopy, cartoonish clouds.
An offbeat, heartfelt tale of finding companionship.Pub Date: May 13, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-73390-860-3
Page Count: 50
Publisher: Sandhill Publishers
Review Posted Online: Feb. 21, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
PERSPECTIVES
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
Though Jim may have been grumpy because a chimp’s an ape and not a monkey, readers will enjoy and maybe learn from his...
It’s a wonderful day in the jungle, so why’s Jim Panzee so grumpy?
When Jim woke up, nothing was right: "The sun was too bright, the sky was too blue, and bananas were too sweet." Norman the gorilla asks Jim why he’s so grumpy, and Jim insists he’s not. They meet Marabou, to whom Norman confides that Jim’s grumpy. When Jim denies it again, Marabou points out that Jim’s shoulders are hunched; Jim stands up. When they meet Lemur, Lemur points out Jim’s bunchy eyebrows; Jim unbunches them. When he trips over Snake, Snake points out Jim’s frown…so Jim puts on a grimacelike smile. Everyone has suggestions to brighten his mood: dancing, singing, swinging, swimming…but Jim doesn’t feel like any of that. He gets so fed up, he yells at his animal friends and stomps off…then he feels sad about yelling. He and Norman (who regrets dancing with that porcupine) finally just have a sit and decide it’s a wonderful day to be grumpy—which, of course, makes them both feel a little better. Suzanne Lang’s encouragement to sit with your emotions (thus allowing them to pass) is nearly Buddhist in its take, and it will be great bibliotherapy for the crabby, cranky, and cross. Oscar-nominated animator Max Lang’s cartoony illustrations lighten the mood without making light of Jim’s mood; Jim has comically long arms, and his facial expressions are quite funny.
Though Jim may have been grumpy because a chimp’s an ape and not a monkey, readers will enjoy and maybe learn from his journey. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 15, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-553-53786-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Feb. 18, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2018
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