Light on story but delivers an uplifting message all the same.
In FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer champion Wambach’s latest, children are urged to be themselves.
Wambach turned her popular 2018 commencement address at Barnard College into a New York Times bestselling book for adults—Wolfpack (2019), an inspirational treatise that encouraged readers to be themselves and dream big. A second adaptation was published for a middle-grade audience, and now comes the picture book, which breaks down Wambach’s message into a series of simple, declarative statements about taking on adventures, facing fears, and being true to oneself, because “you are a Wolf—and that’s the Wolfpack way.” The eight-point Wolfpack way, which is strung throughout the book and organized as a list at the end, is all good Chicken Soup for the Soul–esque advice, from “create your own path” to “let kindness lead the way.” A rallying cry, “we can do hard things,” appears on a hat worn by one of the children in Rahmalia’s boldly colored illustrations, which provide the basic storyline: A racially diverse ensemble of kids (including one who uses a wheelchair) traverse their neighborhood, board a school bus, spend the day at school doing a variety of activities (including playing soccer), board the bus again for home and dinner, then perform in a musical together. Although the text is somewhat didactic, the presentation of a group of children respecting and supporting one another is a welcome contrast to the U.S.’s divided, conflicted society.
Light on story but delivers an uplifting message all the same. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2024
ISBN: 9781250766854
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
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