A sweet tale of independence and family support.
Two young rabbits have a winter adventure when they’re stranded on their way home from their grandparents’ house.
Davy convinces his mother that he and sister Mia are old enough to travel alone to their grandparents’ house to deliver a homemade piece of cake. After a nice visit, the pair leave for home, trying to beat the impending snow. They lose their way in the middle of the whiteout, but Davy remembers the wise advice of their grandfather and remains calm and makes a shelter to keep them warm and dry. With a happy ending and the family’s reunification, the story demonstrates the importance of keeping a level head during emergencies. Tharlet’s illustrations give the personified bunnies plenty of charm and personality. From Davy’s red, ear-hugging hat to the grandparents with their drooping ears, the rabbits are expressive and fully imagined. Originally published in Switzerland and translated from German, this tale feels appropriately reassuring—it never truly feels like the young rabbits are in jeopardy, but their situation is nonetheless a serious one. And though Davy and Mia do their best on their own, ultimately their parents and siblings come to the rescue—a lovely, age-appropriate way to resolve the situation. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A sweet tale of independence and family support. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2023
ISBN: 9780735845022
Page Count: 32
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: Aug. 12, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2023
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
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