Nurtures encouragement, grit, and love.
An injured newborn elephant gains strength from a loving older sister.
Ely’s legs are bent and stuck when he’s born, which means he’s unable to stand and go to the watering hole. Big sister Enid trumpets a loud, reassuring song. Her brother tries again and again. He pushes, wobbles, and falls again and again, but he perseveres. Finally, with legs splayed and unsteady, Ely stands! Mama Echo cautions that Ely will still need help. Enid vows to be her brother’s protector. They bellow silly songs: “Too-wee, too-wee, too-weeeee!” and splash in the mud, declaring their sibling strength by shouting, “We are MIGHTY MUDDY US!” But as Ely grows, his independence does, too. His legs still wobble at times, but his adventurous spirit is strong. Enid is sad her brother doesn’t need her anymore, but when a dust storm separates the two, Enid realizes she needs her brother just as much. Levis and Santoso, the duo behind other inspired animal stories such as Feathers Together (2022), bring these lovable pachyderms to life. Dusty, parched, orange-colored scenes give way to joyful water splashing, showing the many, ever-changing conditions elephants face. Sibling support and strong family relationships prevail. An author’s note explains the real-life elephant family that inspired the story.
Nurtures encouragement, grit, and love. (Informational picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 3, 2023
ISBN: 9781419763731
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 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
BOOK REVIEW
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