Transitioning into a shared room can be a tricky situation, especially with jealous sibling squabbles. But Zoe’s flair will...
Zoe (Zoe Gets Ready, 2012) has proclaimed herself queen of the universe, and her realm is her bedroom—where absolutely no sisters are allowed.
Every night at bedtime, after her mom shuts the door, Queen Zoe sets out to explore her kingdom. She builds grand empires (wobbly towers of blocks), discovers uncharted lands (like the top of her bookcase) and carefully prepares morning tea for the court—her toy penguins, ranged round her on a blanket on the floor. But one day, her reign topples: Her parents tell her that she has to share her room with her little sister, Addie. They put her crib right on top of the royal table! How is she ever going to explore now? Queen Zoe pouts, with a gloomy frown and arms crossed in defiance. Every single noise wakes Addie up, and it looks like Zoe’s nighttime fun must come to an end. However, a sudden crash of thunder makes Zoe realize just how much she likes having a roommate after all. Murguia’s dark blue washes set the quiet night tone, and Zoe’s abundant curiosity shines from the top of her crown to the bottom of her stretched tippy-toes.
Transitioning into a shared room can be a tricky situation, especially with jealous sibling squabbles. But Zoe’s flair will certainly help. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-545-45781-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Levine/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: April 2, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2013
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.
Another creature is on the loose.
The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728274300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school...
The familiar theme of the challenges facing a new kid in town is given an original treatment by photographer Border in this book of photos of three-dimensional objects in a simple modeled landscape.
Peanut Butter is represented by a slice of white bread spread with the popular condiment. The other characters in the story—a hamburger with a pair of hot dogs in tow, a bowl of alphabet soup, a meatball jumping a rope of spaghetti, a carton of French fries and a pink cupcake—are represented by skillfully crafted models of these foods, anthropomorphized using simple wire construction. Rejected by each character in turn in his search for playmates, Peanut Butter discovers in the end that Jelly is his true match (not Cupcake, as the title suggests), perhaps because she is the only one who looks like him, being a slice of white bread spread with jelly. The friendly foods end up happily playing soccer together. Some parents may have trouble with the unabashedly happy depiction of carbs and American junk food (no carrots or celery sticks in this landscape), and others may find themselves troubled by the implication that friendship across difference is impossible.
Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school experiences. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 29, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-399-16773-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014
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