Gentle humor and a sense of wonder pervade this joyful aquatic fantasy.
In Blue Rider (2016), Valério employed explosive colors and forms to illustrate, sans text, the magic of reading; here the Brazilian-Canadian’s wordless narrative depicts two friendships that blossom at the edge of the sea.
In the opening, a girl with flaming curls and a large, mustard-colored face dips her toes into the water, tackle box in hand. As a fish explores her submerged fingertip (and another, those of her companion, a frog), she imagines one on her line. It retreats when the hook is lowered. Her frown is reflected in the water, and she subsequently experiments with expressions, as does her green friend. The fish return, and as her demeanor becomes more pleasant, the mirror image morphs into a mermaid. The cool, blue figures contrast with the sunny shoreline palette until girl and amphibian are guided into the water and the sand recedes completely. Subtle changes to the pastel, colored pencil, and acrylic compositions begin as the friendship solidifies: The mermaid’s hair fills with yellow stars and sea horses while the child’s somewhat subdued hair becomes flecked with blue. The foursome flips and floats, surrounded by other sea creatures. As the girls make pearl necklaces, the frogs play with bubbles. In a satisfying conclusion, no one is called home; the characters simply drift off the page in slumber, leaving readers to imagine what occurs next.
Gentle humor and a sense of wonder pervade this joyful aquatic fantasy. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-77306-102-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Groundwood
Review Posted Online: Dec. 21, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2019
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
© Copyright 2024 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.
