A welcome reminder that whether you’re a cat or a human, it’s nice to have friendly people around ready to help you out.
An apartment-dwelling feline has good-hearted neighbors.
Bob, an orange tabby and self-described “jungle cat,” loves visiting friends. Firefighter Pearl appreciates that the cat follows her as she waters the lush greenery in her plant-filled “jungle” space. Chef Mario generously proffers sardines, adored by jungle cats. Computer whiz Kevin provides a bowl of fresh water, which Bob pretends is a “watering hole deep in the jungle.” The best apartment is the one Bob shares with Pippa and her mom. When Pippa says the noisy city street is “a jungle,” guess who’s ready for adventure? But being outside proves too much even for a jungle cat. Bravado’s one thing; screeching tires, honking horns, and shouting drivers are another: Bob heads for home and, in jungle-cat fashion, climbs a tree. Uh-oh, in pet-cat fashion, Bob gets stuck. Luckily, the feline’s frantic meowing brings Pearl with a ladder and Mario, Kevin, and Pippa following closely behind. Together they effect a safe rescue, and a party celebrates the ordeal’s happy ending. Though it’s a tale we’ve seen before, this Canadian import is charming and conveys important messages about friendship and cooperation. The colorful digital illustrations are lively and filled with delightful, witty details; Bob is very expressive. Pearl, Mario, Pippa, and her mom have varied tones of brown skin; Kevin is White. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A welcome reminder that whether you’re a cat or a human, it’s nice to have friendly people around ready to help you out. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 16, 2023
ISBN: 9781459834644
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orca
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers.
Echoing the meter of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Ward uses catchy original rhymes to describe the variety of nests birds create.
Each sweet stanza is complemented by a factual, engaging description of the nesting habits of each bird. Some of the notes are intriguing, such as the fact that the hummingbird uses flexible spider web to construct its cup-shaped nest so the nest will stretch as the chicks grow. An especially endearing nesting behavior is that of the emperor penguin, who, with unbelievable patience, incubates the egg between his tummy and his feet for up to 60 days. The author clearly feels a mission to impart her extensive knowledge of birds and bird behavior to the very young, and she’s found an appealing and attractive way to accomplish this. The simple rhymes on the left page of each spread, written from the young bird’s perspective, will appeal to younger children, and the notes on the right-hand page of each spread provide more complex factual information that will help parents answer further questions and satisfy the curiosity of older children. Jenkins’ accomplished collage illustrations of common bird species—woodpecker, hummingbird, cowbird, emperor penguin, eagle, owl, wren—as well as exotics, such as flamingoes and hornbills, are characteristically naturalistic and accurate in detail.
A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers. (author’s note, further resources) (Informational picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 18, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4424-2116-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2014
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