A fun-filled, high-energy romp with a satisfying outcome.
Family dynamics change when a new baby enters the picture in this story narrated by a jealous pooch.
Hazel, a miniature breed, is clearly the center of her universe. That she is a handful is also obvious from the bite-size pieces missing from the remote control and the couch. But she’s beloved by her family, especially young Bea, who’s also a handful. Hazel offers a hilarious dog’s-eye view of her day: “First, I go on my business trip” (behind a fire hydrant). When the family goes on walks (with Hazel peering out of a stroller), passersby exclaim over Hazel, “What a cutie patootie!” An irritated Hazel chafes at the label: “I’m a Very Important Business Dog.” Michalak’s text is accompanied by witty, exuberant watercolor-and-ink illustrations; an especially clever spread sees the protagonist on her side, snoring, with one leg in the air (“I take maybe twenty-four naps” a day, Hazel informs us). Girl and dog clearly love each other and aren’t afraid to show it…until the baby arrives. The daily routines continue, but the focus shifts. Now when Mom, Dad, and Bea go on walks, the infant lies in the stroller instead of Hazel. Admiring passersby coo at the new “cutie patootie.” The annoyed pup embraces the nickname she once denounced: “Is it not clear? I am the patootie!” But Michalak and Myers bring the narrative to a happy ending as Hazel is reminded that though things may have changed, she still belongs. Hazel’s family is Black.
A fun-filled, high-energy romp with a satisfying outcome. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: April 1, 2025
ISBN: 9781536231199
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Dec. 28, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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