A bright, big universe of fun and imagination.
A busy father makes time to tell his bored young children an exciting story of space adventure, teamwork, and compromise.
Dad, Jamie, and Abby, who have brown skin, curly hair, and toothy smiles, huddle up close to share stories of the faraway world of Princess Leona’s Star Defenders. This group of space heroes includes Prince Pilot, Captain Neigh the Space Horse, Cosmic Witch Bogwart, and Princess Leona herself. The cartoonish illustrations are vibrant, which makes the threat of the evil Doktor Drab even more daunting as he brings with him a dullness that drains the pages of color. But just as Princess Leona is calling upon the titular Space Pirate Bears, the galaxy’s greatest heroes, Abby and Jamie derail the story as they squabble over the details. Are the bears unicorn doctors, too, as Abby would like, or secret agents, as Jamie insists? Ever the savvy storyteller, Dad eventually guides the adventure toward a reasonable resolution to thwart Doktor Drab and empower the formerly bored kids to become collaborative storytellers of their own: Obviously, the heroes are Space Pirate Secret Agent Unicorn Doctor Flying Ninja Bears! With the help of unicorn rainbow laser beams, the day is saved (and a lot more colorful), and the kids—and readers—are gently reminded of the fun of working together. Though Doktor Drab has grayish skin, most human characters in Dad’s tale are brown-skinned.
A bright, big universe of fun and imagination. (Picture book. 4–8)Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2023
ISBN: 9781684647361
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Kane Miller
Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience.
The How to Catch A… crew try for Comet.
Having already failed to nab a Halloween witch, the Easter Bunny, a turkey, a leprechaun, the Tooth Fairy, and over a dozen other iconic trophies in previous episodes of this bestselling series, one would think the racially diverse gaggle of children in Elkerton’s moonlit, wintry scenes would be flagging…but no, here they lay out snares ranging from a loop of garland to an igloo baited with reindeer moss to an enticing candy cane maze, all in hopes of snagging one of Santa’s reindeer while he’s busy delivering presents. Infused with pop culture–based Christmas cheer (“Now I’ve already seen the shelf with the elf”), Comet prances past the traps until it’s time to gather up the kids, most of whom look terrified, for a group snapshot with the other reindeer and then climb back into harness: “This was a great stop but a few million to go / Christmas Eve must continue with style!” Though festive, the verse feels trite and unlikely to entice youngsters. A sprinkling of “True Facts About Reindeer” (“They live in the tundra, where they have friends like the arctic bunny”) wrap up this celebration of the predatory spirit. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 9781728276137
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
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