A gentle, understated story that invites reflection.
First published in Australia in 2008, the story of a fox who successfully makes a life in the city.
The fox goes by the name of Clive Prendergast and leads a quiet, understated life. He fits in by using a name that can be pronounced (only foxes can say his real name) and being “quick-witted…and able to eat a variety of foods.” By day, he works on an assembly line. By night, he explores the city and enjoys the “interesting goings-on.” He has one or two friends; the one he sees the most is Humphrey, a donkey. Humphrey often has no fixed address and has difficulty keeping a job. Riddle describes the friendship between Clive and Humphrey as one of tranquil acceptance. One day, Humphrey invites Clive to the premiere of the play Nobody Owns the Moon. After a wonderful evening out, the friends agree, “This is our town!” and they part with a big hug. There is a lovely gentleness to the whole narration that readers will find very appealing. Riddle’s artwork weaves together painting and drawings with collage, often incorporating photographs; evident in the illustrations but unremarked in the text, Clive and Humphrey are the only animals in the city mostly inhabited by White humans. Respectful of children’s intelligence, the book presents topics such as friendship, acceptance, belonging, and otherness that will challenge them to think further.
A gentle, understated story that invites reflection. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 20, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-9943841-9-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Berbay Publishing
Review Posted Online: June 28, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2021
The spirit of Valentine’s Day shines bright in this caring community.
Gobble, gobble! Grab this farmyard story full of Valentine’s Day puns.
The animals on Farmer Jake’s farm are exchanging valentines. Delighted by a card from a secret admirer (“You are like no otter!”), Turkey decides to make clever valentines and surreptitiously deliver them to the other animals. Luckily, he has some punny inspiration for perfect Valentine’s Day messages. “You’re purr-fect.” “You’re dog-gone delightful.” “You’re toad-ally awesome!” As Turkey dons a different disguise for each delivery, the story offers a refrain that young listeners will soon chant. “His costume wasn’t bad. In fact, Turkey looked just like a cat…almost.” (The refrain changes slightly with each disguise.) Unfortunately, the other animals always recognize Turkey and greet him with a pun. But the animals also compliment his valentine and help to create a pun for his next one. Sadly, the animals always know who the valentines are from, so Turkey decides to “gobble, gobble, give up!” Returning home to read his own valentines, Turkey has an idea, and he quickly creates a festive and delicious surprise for the Valentine’s dance. Readers will have to decide if Turkey has finally managed to surprise the other animals. Boldfaced puns within the story are easy to spot, and Turkey’s cards also feature puns along with adorable illustrations. Detailed watercolor and pencil illustrations bring to life a farm filled with loving friends and highlight Turkey’s clever and ever changing costumes. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
The spirit of Valentine’s Day shines bright in this caring community. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Dec. 13, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5420-2366-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A light dose of natural history, with occasional “EWWW!” for flavor
Having surveyed worms, spiders, flies, and head lice, Gravel continues her Disgusting Critters series with a quick hop through toad fact and fancy.
The facts are briefly presented in a hand-lettered–style typeface frequently interrupted by visually emphatic interjections (“TOXIN,” “PREY,” “EWWW!”). These are, as usual, paired to simply drawn cartoons with comments and punch lines in dialogue balloons. After casting glances at the common South American ancestor of frogs and toads, and at such exotic species as the Emei mustache toad (“Hey ladies!”), Gravel focuses on the common toad, Bufo bufo. Using feminine pronouns throughout, she describes diet and egg-laying, defense mechanisms, “warts,” development from tadpole to adult, and of course how toads shed and eat their skins. Noting that global warming and habitat destruction have rendered some species endangered or extinct, she closes with a plea and, harking back to those South American origins, an image of an outsized toad, arm in arm with a dark-skinned lad (in a track suit), waving goodbye: “Hasta la vista!”
A light dose of natural history, with occasional “EWWW!” for flavor . (Informational picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: July 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-77049-667-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: April 12, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2016
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