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
Say hello to a relatable and rewarding early reader!
Fun with friends makes for a great day.
Norbit, a salmon-colored worm with a pink kerchief, joyfully greets the day and everyone he encounters. “Hello, friends! It’s time for fun with the sun! Let’s play!” He and his menagerie of forest pals—including the sun, who grows limbs and descends from the sky—exuberantly engage in various forms of physical activity such as jumping, going down a slide, spinning around, and watching the clouds go by. Young readers will readily relate, as these are games that most children are familiar with. As day turns to night, Norbit says farewell to Sun and welcomes Moon with an invitation to continue the fun. Watkins has created a vivid world of movement and merriment. Her illustrations feature bright bursts of color that match the energy of the text, with most sentences ending in an exclamation point. The author/illustrator incorporates many elements that make for an ideal early-reading experience (despite the use of a contraction or two): art free from clutter, text consisting of words with only one or two syllables, and repetition and recurring bits, such as a continued game of hide-and-seek with Sun. Inspired by never-before-seen sketches from the Dr. Seuss Collection archives at the University of California San Diego, this is the first title for Seuss Studios, a new imprint for original stories from “emerging authors and illustrators” who “honor Seuss’s hallmark spirit of creativity and imagination.”
Say hello to a relatable and rewarding early reader! (author's note) (Early reader. 5-8)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9780593646212
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Seuss Studios
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2024
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