by Vita Murrow ; illustrated by Julia Bereciartu ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2019
An inclusive compilation permeated with strong values.
This collection reimagines 15 fairy tales with modern touches and community-minded heroes.
At the request of King Midas, Pied Piper, Geppetto, and Anansi, Murrow (Power to the Princess, 2018, etc.) returns with a new set of stories that rethink the roles of heroes, kings, and princes. A young Arthur discovers his talent for solving disputes by listening instead of doing battle. Pinocchio learns a real boy’s heart “gives and receives and loves bravely.” Despite his fears, Quasimodo stands up for what he believes in to save the community center from demolition. Each tale includes bright cartoon illustrations of racially and culturally diverse characters who wear modern attire apart from the occasional wizard robe or suit of armor. Along with promoting representations of sensitive, nurturing men who are unafraid to express themselves, Murrow expands beyond cis-heteronormativity with casual queer representation. Jack, from “Jack and the Beanstalk,” has two moms. The title character of “The Snow Man” falls in love with another Snow man (even if they both melt at the end). Anansi’s child Golden Silk uses they/them pronouns, as does the postal carrier’s partner in “The Pied Piper” (although the binary language of “hardworking men and women” slips in directly after their appearance). Forcefully optimistic—sometimes in defiance of a tale’s original ending—the characters earn their happily-ever-after resolutions by learning lessons about dedication, justice, and love.
An inclusive compilation permeated with strong values. (Fantasy. 6-10)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-78603-782-4
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2019
Share your opinion of this book
More by Ethan Murrow
BOOK REVIEW
by Ethan Murrow & Vita Murrow ; illustrated by Ethan Murrow & Vita Murrow
BOOK REVIEW
by Vita Murrow ; illustrated by Ethan Murrow
by Daymond John ; illustrated by Nicole Miles ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 21, 2023
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists.
How to raise money for a coveted poster: put your friends to work!
John, founder of the FUBU fashion line and a Shark Tank venture capitalist, offers a self-referential blueprint for financial success. Having only half of the $10 he needs for a Minka J poster, Daymond forks over $1 to buy a plain T-shirt, paints a picture of the pop star on it, sells it for $5, and uses all of his cash to buy nine more shirts. Then he recruits three friends to decorate them with his design and help sell them for an unspecified amount (from a conveniently free and empty street-fair booth) until they’re gone. The enterprising entrepreneur reimburses himself for the shirts and splits the remaining proceeds, which leaves him with enough for that poster as well as a “brand-new business book,” while his friends express other fiscal strategies: saving their share, spending it all on new art supplies, or donating part and buying a (math) book with the rest. (In a closing summation, the author also suggests investing in stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrency.) Though Miles cranks up the visual energy in her sparsely detailed illustrations by incorporating bright colors and lots of greenbacks, the actual advice feels a bit vague. Daymond is Black; most of the cast are people of color. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists. (Picture book. 7-9)Pub Date: March 21, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-56727-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023
Share your opinion of this book
by Suzy Kline ; illustrated by Amy Wummer ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 27, 2018
A fitting farewell, still funny, acute, and positive in its view of human nature even in its 37th episode.
A long-running series reaches its closing chapters.
Having, as Kline notes in her warm valedictory acknowledgements, taken 30 years to get through second and third grade, Harry Spooger is overdue to move on—but not just into fourth grade, it turns out, as his family is moving to another town as soon as the school year ends. The news leaves his best friend, narrator “Dougo,” devastated…particularly as Harry doesn’t seem all that fussed about it. With series fans in mind, the author takes Harry through a sort of last-day-of-school farewell tour. From his desk he pulls a burned hot dog and other items that featured in past episodes, says goodbye to Song Lee and other classmates, and even (for the first time ever) leads Doug and readers into his house and memento-strewn room for further reminiscing. Of course, Harry isn’t as blasé about the move as he pretends, and eyes aren’t exactly dry when he departs. But hardly is he out of sight before Doug is meeting Mohammad, a new neighbor from Syria who (along with further diversifying a cast that began as mostly white but has become increasingly multiethnic over the years) will also be starting fourth grade at summer’s end, and planning a written account of his “horrible” buddy’s exploits. Finished illustrations not seen.
A fitting farewell, still funny, acute, and positive in its view of human nature even in its 37th episode. (Fiction. 7-9)Pub Date: Nov. 27, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-451-47963-1
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Sept. 16, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2018
Share your opinion of this book
More by Suzy Kline
BOOK REVIEW
by Suzy Kline & illustrated by Sami Sweeten
BOOK REVIEW
by Suzy Kline & illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
BOOK REVIEW
by Suzy Kline & illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.