To quote the closing text: “And that’s the long and short of it.” (Picture book. 4-7)
A diminutive boy finds a gender-bending solution to reach greater heights.
Short Seamus is frustrated that “the world appears to be made for tall people.” He can’t reach many things, and attempts to make a running jump and to stand on a rickety chair and a wobbly stepladder are futile. He even tries sitting on his big brother’s shoulders “(but they are not quite high enough).” This last parenthetical statement calls into question the logic of the solution he ultimately discovers: wearing a pair of his mother’s “high high-heeled shoes.” Despite this narrative hole, Seamus’ delight at reaching everything from “the top button in the elevator” to “the chocolate milk in the fridge” is apparent. Notably, no one questions his decision to wear traditionally feminine footwear, though there is one illustration with two neighbors looking askance across the property line fence. It’s Seamus who ends up questioning the shoes when he realizes that there are some nice things about being short, but he ends up deciding that there are times when it’s good to be tall and others when it’s good to be small. The colored pencil–and-ink illustrations adopt a cartoon style and seem to depict all characters as white people, though outlines in blue indicate nonrealistic skin colors.
To quote the closing text: “And that’s the long and short of it.” (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-55498-793-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Groundwood
Review Posted Online: May 30, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2017
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
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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BOOK REVIEW
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