A somewhat bland addition to the summer-vacation canon.
The vacation that Davy and his family take isn’t what they’d hoped for; it’s better.
Captivated by the vivid picture a friend paints of her family’s vacation, bunny Davy persuades his parents to embark on an exciting trip, too. The family packs seemingly everything they possess. Bad idea, considering that the overload breaks their wagon; an alternative suggestion to mail their belongings to their destination is discarded: too expensive. Davy’s siblings are bereft that their summer plans appear kaput, but the sight of a leaf gives Davy inspiration. He leads his family on a long trek through a beautiful natural landscape, allowing them to see “many new things” along the way—exactly the vacation experience they’d all wanted. Happily, the hike ends at a lush “magic spring” where everyone can swim, play in the warm sand, and enjoy a picnic—and which all acknowledge is a “real vacation paradise.” Davy explains the location was once Grandpa’s favorite childhood oasis (though both Mother and Father seem to be oddly ignorant of this), and the family makes plans to return soon to this idyllic spot. There’s not much plot in this thin, unoriginal story, but readers who yearn for vacation adventures will relate. The lively illustrations feature a close-knit, happy, expressive rabbit family of different sizes and hues. Double-page spreads preceding and following the narrative depict rambunctious activity.
A somewhat bland addition to the summer-vacation canon. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: June 5, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4278-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2018
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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