by Giles Andreae ; illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 6, 2022
A gentle counter to traditional notions of masculinity and grit that breaks little new ground.
The author-illustrator team behind Giraffes Can’t Dance (2001) returns with a rhyming ode to bravery starring a pair of anthropomorphic bears.
Strong, handsome, courageous Clarence catches fish and finds honey with ease; in short, he’s “everything grizzly bears ought to be.” A loving big sibling, he gently encourages younger, smaller brother Dave to follow his example, but sensitive Dave presents a different image of masculinity. Wearing a flower garland, he cries: “I’ll never be Clarence, not EVER!” But Dave is struck by inspiration when he finds a brightly patterned piece of fabric on a walk and embarks on a secret project. Eventually, he invites all the animals to his den and presents his brother with a fabulous cloak, explaining that creating it “makes me feel…TRUE.” The transformation is tied up with an emotional bow as Clarence sheds tears of joy and tells Dave that accepting who he is makes him brave. The immediate and unanimous acceptance of Dave’s affinity for fashion is sweet if perhaps a bit idealistic; human children may not be as accepting as the gaggle of woodland critters, though the trepidation Dave feels in breaking from the norm rings true. Given how reassuring Clarence is from the get-go, there isn’t much dramatic tension, and it’s a story we’ve seen countless times before. The illustration style is love it or leave it, with campy, bright colors and a nostalgic, retro feeling in the shading and slight shadows. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A gentle counter to traditional notions of masculinity and grit that breaks little new ground. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-338-85010-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orchard/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022
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by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2025
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
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by Christina Perri ; illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2025
A sweet notion that falls flat.
A hit song reimagined as a book about parental love.
Featured in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 1, Perri’s “A Thousand Years” deals with the speaker’s fear of romantic love. In picture-book form, it explores a parent’s unwavering love for a child, who grows from an infant into a toddler over the course of the narrative. The caregiver expresses awe when the youngster learns to stand and fear that the child might fall while beginning to walk. “I have spent every day waiting for you,” the parent says. “Darling, don’t be afraid.” What the child might fear isn’t clear from the joyful balloon- and rainbow-filled illustrations. The story borders on cloying, and words that might work when sung and accompanied by music don’t sound fresh on the page: “Time goes by. / You grow ever stronger as you fly.” The refrain, however, is a lovely sentiment: “I have loved you for a thousand years. / I’ll love you for a thousand more.” Perri’s legion of fans may flock to this version, illustrated by Ruiz with sparkling stars, bubbles, and big-eyed toddlers, but it doesn’t hold together as a narrative or an ode, as it’s billed, and it’s a long way from the original song. The child is tan-skinned, the parent is lighter-skinned, and other characters are diverse.
A sweet notion that falls flat. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2025
ISBN: 9780593622599
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
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