A lubberly outing, stereotypewise.
A clever lad leads his classmates and a pirate who crawls in through the window to troves of hidden treasure.
Heaps of gold coins do make a shiny stand-in for the “treasures” more likely to be found in a classroom, but a yarn in which the good guy is signaled by a false disability and the bad guy by a real one belongs in Davy Jones’ locker. Taking advantage of teacher Ms. Bitsy’s momentary absence, Capt. Calamity—dressed with proper swash and buckle in the cartoon illustrations but only holding the requisite hook in his hand—arrives in search of a treasure in the classroom buried, he’s been told, “under the sea.” Fruitless ransacking ensues until at last young Alex, contemplating the alphabet pinned to the wall, realizes that the clue is actually “under the C.” Indeed, pulling a lever beneath the letter opens a watery gulf under the floorboards, where the children (and their equally enthusiastic teacher) find a chest of gold coins. Better yet, after Ms. Bitsy sternly sends off bullying rival Pirate Bloodloss, a menacing figure with an actual peg leg, by threatening to tell his parents (“Argh! Not Mommy,” he whimpers), Alex has a further golden alphabetical insight: “X always marks the spot!” If nothing else, the captain “hooks” Ms. Bitsy, who’s simpering, “Call me Daphne” by the final scene. Alex and the grown-ups are white, but Whitehouse depicts the rest of the class with a mix of light and dark skin.
A lubberly outing, stereotypewise. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: March 5, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-84886-360-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Maverick Publishing
Review Posted Online: Dec. 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2019
A visually engaging but otherwise underwhelming take on a classic.
A retelling of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, set in the Alaskan tundra.
Prolific picture-book author and illustrator Brett depicts Alice with short black hair, tan skin, and a fur-lined parka, while Lewis Carroll’s well-known characters are recast in new guises: The Cheshire Cat and Queen of Hearts appear as a Smilodon (saber-toothed cat) and snowy owl, respectively. Progressing at a rapid-fire pace, the narrative follows key moments of the original plot, including Alice’s fall down the rabbit hole (located within a glacier here), her tea party with the Hatter and the March Hare (this time, with the Old Prospector and the Varying Hare), and a scene where several playing cards paint the roses red (instead, the cotton grass) at the Queen’s behest. Characteristic of Brett’s illustrative style, each spread is packed with detail. Observant readers will find much to explore, from the well-worn playing cards that line each page to the intricate Alaskan birds and mammals featured at every turn. Still, the hectic rhythm of the story might lose youngsters, and its ho-hum text flattens some of Carroll’s whimsy. Adults may be disappointed that Brett has chosen to highlight only the area’s animals and colonial history (the Prospector hearkens back to Alaska’s history of colonial encroachment), with no explicit mention of the land’s rich Indigenous nations and cultures.
A visually engaging but otherwise underwhelming take on a classic. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Nov. 26, 2024
ISBN: 9780593533888
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: Sept. 28, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2024
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.
The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.
Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)Pub Date: March 26, 2024
ISBN: 9780063329560
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
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