A mawkish, unremarkable story.
It’s fall, the apples are ripe, and Max Mouse, eager to have an Apple Party, plans to pick some from a tree in the clearing.
When Max and his friend Henry Hedgehog arrive, the apples are gone. To make matters worse, they discover that their friend Rico Dormouse took them all and doesn’t plan to share them. He picked them all by himself and, for that reason, claims the rights to them. Dejectedly, Max shuts himself into his home. His other friends join forces, deciding that they can have a party with other treats, such as pancakes and apricot lemonade, and they gather the ingredients to do so. Rico apologizes for his greed and shares his apples, so everyone gathers together for an apple pancake party. Much about this story is excessively sweet and sentimental. Many of the animals’ names are cutesily alliterative; Max sprinkles sugar on pancakes at their party and calls it Friendship Powder (“with friendship powder, everything we eat together tastes even sweeter”); the animals sing a song about how sharing is “fun to do”; and sobbing Henry must be convinced that he has something to contribute to the party. The illustrations of these anthropomorphic creatures in muted shades also tend toward preciousness; the animals are all diminutive with button noses (or beaks). Even the book’s title typeface is exceptionally bouncy and cute. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11.5-by-17.4-inch double-page spreads viewed at 94.2% of actual size.)
A mawkish, unremarkable story. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-6626-5007-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: minedition
Review Posted Online: June 29, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2020
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
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
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
