Who says morality tales can’t be fun?
The opening double-page spread shows over a dozen vividly colorful anthropomorphic cartoon animals happily engaged in various activities against a low-detail background of a pale blue village. Bold black print on the verso declares: “Sunnyville was perfect. Friendly and fun. It twinkled with perfect loveliness!” Yellow speech bubbles from animals affirm the collective happiness with cheerful or kind comments. The text at the bottom of the recto warns, “But then, without thinking….” On the next spread, there is excellent contrast in the art: A field of aquamarine backgrounds a large rhinoceros—clad in a red-and-white shirt and blue overalls—who tosses a candy wrapper behind its bulky shoulder. Rhino’s assertion that “It’s only one” is the beginning of Sunnyville’s quick downward trend from lovely to most unpleasant. Other animals follow Rhino’s bad example until the village is trashed. After Giraffe has picked “only one” flower and Penguin blasts out “only one” song on a portable Victrola, Sunnyville has plummeted dangerously. Can Mouse turn things around with one small, kind action? Giraffe is male, Mouse female, others unassigned. Repetition, onomatopoeia, short phrases, and excellent art and design make this a great read-aloud for the very young. The story is followed by sweet (but probably not attention-holding) tips on being a good neighbor.
Who says morality tales can’t be fun? (author’s note, illustrator’s note) (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68010-227-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.
A dog-loving child encourages a less-than-enthusiastic younger one to imagine they’re both canines.
From the first declaration—“I’d be a big dog! And you’d be a little one!”—readers know who’s calling the shots. Initially, the protagonists cavort off the page and through the neighborhood together, performing doggy capers such as tail wagging, stick carrying, and dirt digging. But by the time they encounter a multitude of like-minded creatures at the dog park, the disgruntled small pup is exhibiting out-and-out rebellion: “Being a dog is YOUR idea! Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!” The narrative wraps up with the younger child pretending to be a different animal entirely—cleverly foreshadowed through subtle details in the illustrations. Even the endpapers—lively silhouettes of dogs in the beginning and many different animals in closing—extend the theme to suggest the imaginative possibilities of pretend play. Cheerful, lightly hued colors fit the whimsical mood, while expressive body language allows the art to tell the story with a minimum of words. Ending on a surprising note, with a sweet compromise between the two main characters, the tale gives both kids the freedom to embrace their own preferences and styles—while still enjoying their game.
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9780316581721
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance.
A boy with wings learns to be himself and inspires others like him to soar, too.
Norman, a “perfectly normal” boy, never dreamed he might grow wings. Afraid of what his parents might say, he hides his new wings under a big, stuffy coat. Although the coat hides his wings from the world, Norman no longer finds joy in bathtime, playing at the park, swimming, or birthday parties. With the gentle encouragement of his parents, who see his sadness, Norman finds the courage to come out of hiding and soar. Percival (The Magic Looking Glass, 2017, etc.) depicts Norman with light skin and dark hair. Black-and-white illustrations show his father with dark skin and hair and his mother as white. The contrast of black-and-white illustrations with splashes of bright color complements the story’s theme. While Norman tries to be “normal,” the world and people around him look black and gray, but his coat stands out in yellow. Birds pop from the page in pink, green, and blue, emphasizing the joy and beauty of flying free. The final spread, full of bright color and multiracial children in flight, sets the mood for Norman’s realization on the last page that there is “no such thing as perfectly normal,” but he can be “perfectly Norman.”
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: May 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68119-785-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
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