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EDWARD AND THE EUREKA LUCKY WISH COMPANY

Edward has big plans—and a big imagination. When he takes his bicycle (a Sky-Hopper 2000) to the park and receives three wishes from the titular company (“Buy Two. Get One Free”), his life takes some unexpected turns. Like so many kids in stories involving wishes, he spends them carelessly and finds life complicated by their aftermath. He wants his Sky-Hopper to fly, but neglects to be seated on the bike when he makes his wish. It flies. He does not. Such self-consciously goofy words as splurcher, figgler and Bog Bubbler monster distract from this tale, which moves along breathlessly—even frantically. The amount of print on many pages will discourage many young readers who might be attracted to this tall tale of wishes wasted, worlds turned upside down and set right again. Kids who like Daniel Pinkwater’s early chapter books will enjoy the wordplay here, however, and young inventors with a short attention span might enjoy hearing this read aloud. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-55453-264-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Kids Can

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2009

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THE SECRET SOCIETY OF AUNTS & UNCLES

Warm but underdone.

In this picture book from actor Gyllenhaal and his partner, Caruso, a child and his uncle bond on a fantastic journey.

Leo, an avid dancer, is dismayed when Uncle Mo visits—he’s in town for a “rubber band convention.” Illustrations show both with wavy brown hair and light tan skin. Not only does Leo think his uncle is rather dull, he’s also leery of Uncle Mo’s many rules. A rather abrupt narrative shift occurs when the pair inexplicably drive into another dimension. Here they encounter Great-Aunt Gloria (who is very tall and presents Black) and Uncle Munkle Carbunkle (who is very short and light-skinned), who guide them through the Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles. Unimpressed with Uncle Mo, Great-Aunt Gloria says he must take a quiz on “Auntieology and Uncleology.” After several wrong answers, Uncle Mo has a final chance at redemption: He must state his nephew’s favorite activity. When Leo springs into action to dance for his clueless uncle, a mishap leaves him mortified and un-bespectacled. Enter Uncle Mo to save the day by using a rubber band to secure Leo’s glasses. While Santat’s energetic illustrations do much to clarify the narrative, they can’t fully make up for the disjointed storytelling—it’s never clear why the two have entered this dimension or why Leo is suddenly so eager to help Uncle Mo. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Warm but underdone. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023

ISBN: 9781250776990

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023

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THE MOST BORING BOOK EVER

Sky-based pyrotechnics make for a fun if somewhat confusing telling.

In this collaboration between sci-fi novelist Sanderson and Amulet creator Kibuishi, an unreliable narrator informs readers that here be no dragons.

“A boy sat in a chair.” The book opens on a bespectacled, light-skinned child in old-fashioned attire. The narration continues, “That’s it. He just sat in a chair,” while on the opposite page, the boy’s chair has unexpectedly whisked him heavenward. The narrator attempts to convince readers that just sitting in a chair is boring. As the story continues, however, the boy is attacked by an array of sky ruffians operating vessels; fight scenes and impressive explosions ensue. A dragon makes an appearance as the narrator drones on about how dull the story is. Kibuishi’s detailed cartoon images depict an enticing steampunk-esque world. Adults reading this book to kids might want to read the text first without the pictures; on a second run they can show off the images, neatly illustrating the important interplay of text and visuals in sequential art. Unfortunately, for all that the illustrations maintain the action at a fair clip, near the end the plot grows muddled as the boy gets out of his chair but then tumbles to the ground: Was he falling and then trying to stop himself? Some adult intervention may be required to clarify what precisely is happening on the page.

Sky-based pyrotechnics make for a fun if somewhat confusing telling. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: Sept. 24, 2024

ISBN: 9781250843661

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2024

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