A very funny and fine tribute to a very young friendship.
Tiger and Badger are very young—maybe 4—and they are best friends, doing as best friends do.
When Badger finds Tiger in her chair, eating her orange slices, Badger points out with impeccable logic that she was in that chair, before. Then Badger and Tiger (and Bad Monkey, a stuffie of uncertain provenance) want a Popsicle. But there is only one Popsicle. Badger eats all of it. Tiger is furious at her, and Bad Monkey gets thrown up into a tree, leading to this classic exchange: “ ‘You’re mean,’ says Tiger. ‘You ate the whole thing.’ ‘No, you’re mean,’ says Badger. ‘You threw Bad Monkey up high.’ ‘No, you’re mean,’ says Tiger. ‘You made me throw Bad Monkey.’ / ‘Fine.’ ” However, with the help of a spatula, some books, and that chair, the friends eventually cooperate. Bad Monkey is rescued, and then there is an episode of pushing, tail-pulling, and a lot of yelling. Then there are funny faces and laughing. They are best friends. The pictures, in watercolor, acrylic, and pencil, are a mosaic of tiny, exquisite details of leaves, branches, fruit, flowers, birds, and toys in a slightly surreal landscape of hills and trees and sunlight. Tiger’s whiskers seem always to be blowing in the wind, and Badger exudes a comfortable, if pointy-nosed, solidity.
A very funny and fine tribute to a very young friendship. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Feb. 9, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6604-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Nov. 2, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2015
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available.
A ghost learns to appreciate his differences.
The little ghost protagonist of this title is unusual. He’s a quilt, not a lightweight sheet like his parents and friends. He dislikes being different despite his mom’s reassurance that his ancestors also had unconventional appearances. Halloween makes the little ghost happy, though. He decides to watch trick-or-treaters by draping over a porch chair—but lands on a porch rail instead. A mom accompanying her daughter picks him up, wraps him around her chilly daughter, and brings him home with them! The family likes his looks and comforting warmth, and the little ghost immediately feels better about himself. As soon as he’s able to, he flies out through the chimney and muses happily that this adventure happened only due to his being a quilt. This odd but gently told story conveys the importance of self-respect and acceptance of one’s uniqueness. The delivery of this positive message has something of a heavy-handed feel and is rushed besides. It also isn’t entirely logical: The protagonist could have been a different type of covering; a blanket, for instance, might have enjoyed an identical experience. The soft, pleasing illustrations’ palette of tans, grays, white, black, some touches of color, and, occasionally, white text against black backgrounds suggest isolation, such as the ghost feels about himself. Most humans, including the trick-or-treating mom and daughter, have beige skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 66.2% of actual size.)
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7352-6447-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
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
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