A satisfying blend of storytelling and science that honors both sea turtles and the people working to save them.
A poacher turned protector teaches his grandchild about sea turtle preservation.
An Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Honor recipient, Gutiérrez Hernández draws from her own experiences visiting Oaxacan turtle sanctuaries to craft an intimate portrait of conservation work, seen through the eyes of young Gabriela, who joins Papá Grande on nighttime beach patrols as he watches over transported “nidadas” (sets of eggs laid by turtles). The author doesn’t shy away from the challenges; when beetles destroy a nest, leaving only broken shells, the moment provides authentic emotional weight that distinguishes this tale from more sanitized nature books. Papá Grande’s transformation from turtle hunter to “tortuguero” (turtle enthusiast) reflects the real stories of many Mexican coastal communities that shifted from exploitation to protection. The lovely gouache and colored pencil illustrations capture both the magical nocturnal world of nesting turtles and the methodical work of egg collection and hatchery maintenance. Rich blues and teals dominate the underwater scenes, while warm oranges and pinks highlight moments on the beach. The art particularly shines in depicting the four turtle species that visit Oaxaca’s coast. Extensive backmatter elevates this work beyond a simple story: A comprehensive glossary, detailed life cycle information, a map of conservation sites, an author’s note with photographs, and additional resources make it invaluable for reports or curious readers wanting deeper knowledge.
A satisfying blend of storytelling and science that honors both sea turtles and the people working to save them. (glossary, life cycle information, map, author’s note, additional resources) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9781250257789
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Godwin Books
Review Posted Online: July 4, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among
Pete, the cat who couldn’t care less, celebrates Christmas with his inimitable lassitude.
If it weren’t part of the title and repeated on every other page, readers unfamiliar with Pete’s shtick might have a hard time arriving at “groovy” to describe his Christmas celebration, as the expressionless cat displays not a hint of groove in Dean’s now-trademark illustrations. Nor does Pete have a great sense of scansion: “On the first day of Christmas, / Pete gave to me… / A road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” The cat is shown at the wheel of a yellow microbus strung with garland and lights and with a star-topped tree tied to its roof. On the second day of Christmas Pete gives “me” (here depicted as a gray squirrel who gets on the bus) “2 fuzzy gloves, and a road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” On the third day, he gives “me” (now a white cat who joins Pete and the squirrel) “3 yummy cupcakes,” etc. The “me” mentioned in the lyrics changes from day to day and gift to gift, with “4 far-out surfboards” (a frog), “5 onion rings” (crocodile), and “6 skateboards rolling” (a yellow bird that shares its skateboards with the white cat, the squirrel, the frog, and the crocodile while Pete drives on). Gifts and animals pile on until the microbus finally arrives at the seaside and readers are told yet again that it’s all “GROOVY!”
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among . (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-06-267527-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 19, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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