An engrossing episode, infused with magic and with moments light and dark as well as lots of small furry animals.
The gruff but large-hearted Scandinavian gnome usually associated with Yuletide takes an offseason turn when a summer storm brings a company of homeless woodland creatures to his door.
Faithfully tending to a cottage that has had no human residents for many years, the aptly named Grump faces the prospect of losing his sole companion, a wise bee met in The Yule Tomte and the Little Rabbits (2014). Meanwhile, along with talk of the coming of midsummer in the tumultuous Rabbit clan, young Binny is smitten with newly met Rory—portrayed in Eriksson’s cozy, slightly soft-focus illustrations as a bunny with significantly darker fur than Binny’s and her family’s. The idyllic opening scenes take on a dramatic cast with the wild storm, into which Rory intrepidly slogs to rescue Father Rabbit’s prized hat. A falling tree leaves Rory at death’s door, but he recovers in time to join in a joyous midsummer frolic around a maypole and, with the red-capped tomte presiding, be married to Binny. In a series of sweet closing chapters, Grump’s grumpiness is forever banished by a midsummer’s dance with a fairy, and by summer’s end there’s a pair of new little bunnies to dandle on his knees. Stark’s simple, dreamy prose and the idyllic gatherings centering on the kindly tomte seamlessly combine to create a superb candidate for reading aloud.
An engrossing episode, infused with magic and with moments light and dark as well as lots of small furry animals. (Illustrated fantasy. 5-10)Pub Date: May 15, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-78250-244-9
Page Count: 120
Publisher: Floris
Review Posted Online: March 29, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2016
Two boys imagine an adventure in the kingdoms of Thatchwych and High Dudgeon. Sir Seth and his buddy Sir Ollie go a-questing in their tinfoil armor to find the missing Soothsaying Shoes of Sir Shawn Shrood. They wend their way to the dark, lonely castle of Prince Quincy of Poxley with the help of saber-toothed sloth Edith-Anne and the ghost of Jolly King Wally. Can they brave the weezils and weevils and elephant ants with measles and worse? With the help of new friends, it’s easy-peasy! Published in an avowed attempt to revive the read-aloud for middle graders, Canadian ad-man Thake’s first work of fiction will, more likely, sour their stomachs. The forced rhymes and treacly descriptions would set teeth on edge in a picture book. The bad grammar and cutesy made-up words are anything but instructive, easily addressed “dangers” kill any sense of adventure and the characters never develop beyond caricatures. Serviceable black-and-white, cartoon illustrations can’t save this. Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon books, Kate McMullan’s Dragon Slayers' Academy and the storied Magic Tree House all render this painfully patronizing series unnecessary. (Fantasy. 7-10)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-897349-92-2
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Owlkids Books
Review Posted Online: July 30, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2010
Extended family and friends are arriving for Clara’s Grandma’s birthday, and the air is full of Crioulo (African-influenced Portuguese) words, while the kitchen is full of Cape Verdean food reminiscent of what Grandma ate in her African homeland. Clara, who lives next door, misses her grandmother’s exclusive attention and wonders what to give her for a birthday present. Realistic, sometimes stiff acrylic illustrations portray Clara and her family and their American seaside home. When Clara and her grandmother steal some time together to go on a moonlit walk by the water, Clara learns that her grandmother left Africa and Clara’s great aunt, Aura, behind because of poverty and starvation. Grandma doubts she’ll ever make the journey back, and that night, Clara dreams of Aura and comes up with the perfect gift idea. A moving portrayal of a grandparent-grandchild relationship as well as a distinctive take on universal aspects of immigration. Includes a glossary and author’s note with information on Cape Verde and the author’s family. (Picture book. 6-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2010
ISBN: 987-1-60060-347-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Lee & Low Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 1, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2010
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