Troubling.
In the opening scene, anthropomorphic rabbits enjoy a multigenerational picnic on a large blanket; a lawn, more family members, and a two-story house are behind them. A white-furred, doe-eyed bunny with a sketchbook introduces herself as Lily, mentioning that her family lives “in the big house at the end of the lane.” The story continues with a nicely rendered watercolor of Lily sitting far above a harbor and city skyline; Lily mentions Grandma’s assertion that their house is “old and steady as mountains.” Although the text initially exudes a bit of gentle humor, as the tale continues, both text and art grow increasingly dark and fraught with angst. Even Lily’s dreams offer her no respite from the completed highway project, and the once-happy family becomes dysfunctional from the stress. Lily braves new, horrifying traffic to rescue a last remaining flower. Then her dreams abruptly change from troubled to confident; she apparently figures out how to save the day, and the final double-page spread depicts the house on a raft, a tugboat towing it to, presumably, a more salubrious setting. Despite obvious thematic resemblance to Virginia Lee Burton’s classic The Little House, this outing offers none of its serenity, instead placing the burden of rescuing this family on Lily’s shoulders. The Hail Mary conclusion is so unbelievable it will likely bring little comfort to young readers.
Troubling. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: March 15, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-77147-380-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Owlkids Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2021
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.
The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.
Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)Pub Date: March 26, 2024
ISBN: 9780063329560
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Accessible, reassuring and hopeful.
This endearing picture book about a timid boy who longs to belong has an agenda but delivers its message with great sensitivity.
Brian wants to join in but is overlooked, even ostracized, by his classmates. Readers first see him alone on the front endpapers, drawing in chalk on the ground. The school scenarios are uncomfortably familiar: High-maintenance children get the teacher’s attention; team captains choose kickball players by popularity and athletic ability; chatter about birthday parties indicates they are not inclusive events. Tender illustrations rendered in glowing hues capture Brian’s isolation deftly; compared to the others and his surroundings, he appears in black and white. What saves Brian is his creativity. As he draws, Brian imagines amazing stories, including a poignant one about a superhero with the power to make friends. When a new boy takes some ribbing, it is Brian who leaves an illustrated note to make him feel better. The boy does not forget this gesture. It only takes one person noticing Brian for the others to see his talents have value; that he has something to contribute. Brian’s colors pop. In the closing endpapers, Brian’s classmates are spread around him on the ground, “wearing” his chalk-drawn wings and capes. Use this to start a discussion: The author includes suggested questions and recommended reading lists for adults and children.
Accessible, reassuring and hopeful. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-582-46450-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Aug. 20, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2013
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