This offbeat, intergenerational story celebrates connection.
Bianca loves to write letters.
The young letter-writer carefully crafts illustrated missives for a Sri Lankan pen pal, a friend in Uganda, a Maine uncle, and two grandmas. But much as this kid likes writing letters, they don’t like postal worker Yolanda. Bianca fears her “scaly talons” (long, manicured red nails) and says: “I think she’d like to eat me up one day. She has probably eaten up dozens of people by now.” One day, Bianca has five letters to mail and walks (alone) to the post office through a bustling San Francisco neighborhood, gathering as much luck as possible along the way. But when Bianca gets to the counter, Yolanda has a surprise in store with the unlikely announcement that she “just served one of the most delightful meals that anyone has ever prepared.” The postal worker proceeds to tell Bianca about the special meal, based on that first detailed in Isak Dinesen’s short story “Babette’s Feast.” Yolanda is now transformed in Bianca’s imagination. The delightful, soft line-and-color illustrations show a diverse contemporary California community; Bianca and Yolanda themselves both have pale skin and dark hair. Bianca’s engaging letters are also pictured. Even though “Babette’s Feast” has little if any natural resonance with the audience, the way Bianca’s dislike turns into curiosity is thought-provoking. Young readers will get caught up in the illustrations, and the idiosyncratic friendship may grow on them. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 33.7% of actual size.) This offbeat, intergenerational story celebrates connection. (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: March 16, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7352-6651-3
Page Count: 44
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Amusing but a little off tempo.
It’s important to hit all the right notes.
A tan-skinned musical composer with puffy black hair is busy at work on his next musical masterpiece when Half Note, a music symbol denoting two beats, feels unappreciated. Half Note is jealous of the more commonly used Quarter Note (one beat) and Eighth Note. Although the other musical symbols attempt to calm and comfort Half Note, she decides to run away. The next day, Composer needs Half Note and panics when he realizes that she’s gone. The other notes and musical symbols try to find her, but it’s only when they try to play her favorite song, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” without her—with terrible results—that she comes running back. The story’s humor—which is largely based on “dad joke” puns—is completely dependent on readers’ musical knowledge. The artwork, a mix of acrylic and colored pencil, attempts to add some allegrezza to the piece, and while it’s not unsuccessful, it’s facing an uphill battle. Music teachers and musically minded caregivers may find some value in this story, but it will likely be too specialized for general readers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Amusing but a little off tempo. (glossary) (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: March 14, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-64567-631-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Page Street
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A story of friendship that is both lively and lovely
Two friends embark upon a high-seas adventure.
Kondo, a large lemon-colored creature with wide round eyes, spends his day on his island home with his best friend, tangerine-hued Kezumi. Together, they frolic on their idyllic isle picking berries (tall Kondo nabs the higher fruit while Kezumi helps to retrieve the lower) while surrounded by tiny “flitter-birds” and round “fluffle-bunnies.” One day, Kezumi finds a map in a bottle that declares “WE ARE NOT ALONE.” Inspired by visions of a larger world, Kondo and Kezumi fashion a boat from a bathtub and set sail. The pair visits fantastical islands—deliciously cheese-laden Dairy Isle, the fiery and fearsome Fireskull Island—until they eventually settle upon the titular Giant Island, where they meet Albert, a gigantic gray talking mountain who is—obviously—unable to leave. Enthralled by his new friends, Albert wants them to stay forever. After Albert makes a fraught decision, Kondo and Kezumi find themselves at a crossroads and must confront their new friend. Goodner and Tsurumi’s brightly illustrated chapter book should find favor with fans of Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen’s similarly designed Mercy Watson series. Short, wry, descriptive sentences make for an equally enjoyable experience whether read aloud or independently. Episodic chapters move the action along jauntily; the conclusion is somewhat abrupt, but it promises more exploration and adventures for the best friends. (This review was originally published in the June 1, 2019, issue. The book data has been updated to reflect changes in publisher and date of publication.)
A story of friendship that is both lively and lovely (Fantasy. 6-8)Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-368-02577-5
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 7, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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