Solid and inspiring fare for young eco-activists.
Wildlife conservationist Irwin and co-author Prasadam-Halls invite children to join in the effort to safeguard the Earth.
In her first children’s book, Irwin, daughter of world-renowned conservationists Steve and Terri Irwin, aims to inspire the next generation of “wildlife warriors” (a term coined by her late father) by giving readers an insider’s view of the work her family does to protect animals at Australia Zoo and in the wild. Each day brings a new adventure as Bindi and daughter Grace interact with animals big and small, furry and scaly. They observe animal behavior and learn about their habitats, helping the creatures in their care to thrive. Irwin’s deep and abiding passion comes through in the playful rhymes. Animal facts are peppered throughout the story, connecting to the action on the pages and extending readers’ knowledge. Kaulitzki’s blend of digital and watercolor illustrations reflects the lush environment of the zoo and makes effective use of light and color. Fans of the Irwins will delight at the family photos accompanying the detailed backmatter, which provides even more context about Bindi Irwin’s earliest memories, describes conservation efforts at Australia Zoo and around the world, and details small-scale, high-impact actions to support the environment. Irwin also notes that her nonprofit Wildlife Warriors group offers ways for young people to get involved.
Solid and inspiring fare for young eco-activists. (Informational picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2025
ISBN: 9780593428115
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2024
A good introduction to observation, data, and trying again.
Cece loves asking “why” and “what if.”
Her parents encourage her, as does her science teacher, Ms. Curie (a wink to adult readers). When Cece and her best friend, Isaac, pair up for a science project, they choose zoology, brainstorming questions they might research. They decide to investigate whether dogs eat vegetables, using Cece’s schnauzer, Einstein, and the next day they head to Cece’s lab (inside her treehouse). Wearing white lab coats, the two observe their subject and then offer him different kinds of vegetables, alone and with toppings. Cece is discouraged when Einstein won’t eat them. She complains to her parents, “Maybe I’m not a real scientist after all….Our project was boring.” Just then, Einstein sniffs Cece’s dessert, leading her to try a new way to get Einstein to eat vegetables. Cece learns that “real scientists have fun finding answers too.” Harrison’s clean, bright illustrations add expression and personality to the story. Science report inserts are reminiscent of The Magic Schoolbus books, with less detail. Biracial Cece is a brown, freckled girl with curly hair; her father is white, and her mother has brown skin and long, black hair; Isaac and Ms. Curie both have pale skin and dark hair. While the book doesn’t pack a particularly strong emotional or educational punch, this endearing protagonist earns a place on the children’s STEM shelf.
A good introduction to observation, data, and trying again. (glossary) (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: June 19, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-06-249960-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2018
A well-meaning but lackluster tribute.
Readers bid farewell to a beloved canine character.
Momo is—or was—an adorable and very photogenic border collie owned by author Knapp. The many readers who loved him in the previous half-dozen books are in for a shock with this one. “Momo had died” is the stark reality—and there are no photographs of him here. Instead, Momo has been replaced by a flat cartoonish pastiche with strange, staring round white eyes, inserted into some of Knapp’s photography (which remains appealing, insofar as it can be discerned under the mixed media). Previous books contained few or no words. Unfortunately, virtuosity behind a lens does not guarantee mastery of verse. The art here is accompanied by words that sometimes rhyme but never find a workable or predictable rhythm (“We’d fetch and we’d catch, / we’d run and we’d jump. Every day we found new / games to play”). It’s a pity, because the subject—a pet’s death—is an important one to address with children. Of course, Momo isn’t gone; he can still be found “everywhere” in memories. But alas, he can be found here only in the crude depictions of the darling dog so well known from the earlier books.
A well-meaning but lackluster tribute. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781683693864
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Quirk Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 4, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2023
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