Sure to inspire future slayers to take on the monsters in their closets (thankfully readers’ monsters won’t be real).
Even future vampire slayers can be afraid of the dark.
Eight-year-old Buffy is afraid of sounds coming from her closet at night. She invites her friends Willow and Xander to sleep over. They have a great night—but can’t bring themselves to open the door to the noisy closet. They ask school librarian Giles for help, and he tells Buffy that someday she’ll be a great warrior; for now, if she acts bravely, the monsters will be scared. Xander and Willow stay over again, and the trio find a closet full of smiling monsters (that every fan of Buffy’s TV show will recognize, although none of them are likely in this book’s target audience). Buffy attacks, and the monsters are cowed…and join the party—until Mom comes in. Though Buffy couldn’t have been friends with Xander and Willow at 8 according to the extensive mythos of the series/movie/comics (she moved to Sunnydale in high school) and turning some of the horrifically violent monsters into doe-eyed, glorified teddy bears is kinda creepy, Rekulak’s newest nostalgia-inspired picture book has fantastic comic-style, action-filled, colorful art by Smith and a fine (but not preachy) lesson that even rockin’ (female) heroes can be afraid sometimes. Caregiver fans will enjoy sharing their obsession with a new generation, who will enjoy reassurances that the monsters in the closet aren’t a threat. Buffy and Co. all present white, but they have some diverse classmates.
Sure to inspire future slayers to take on the monsters in their closets (thankfully readers’ monsters won’t be real). (Picture book. 4-9)Pub Date: Sept. 4, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68369-069-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Quirk Books
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
A satisfyingly cozy winter holiday tale.
The protagonist of The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt (2020) enjoys a “boo-tiful” holiday.
The titular spirit—comprised of a patterned quilt rather than a plain white sheet like his peers—loves drifting outside in the cold. His heavier fabrics may slow him down the rest of the year, but in winter they keep him warm enough to enjoy the outdoors while his friends remain inside. One December evening, while visiting the human neighborhood, he notices people singing and putting up twinkling lights (amid the Christmas decorations, one window features a menorah). The little ghost quilt is happy for himself but sad that his pals aren’t witnessing all this, too. The sight of a holiday tree inspires him: He’ll bring a tree to his friends! A branch that blows off during a snowstorm will do nicely. For ornaments, he uses odds and ends from the attic of his house. And when his friends arrive at his home that night, everyone decorates the tree together. The moon, peeping through the window and reflecting off a mirror from the attic, provides the glorious pièce de résistance: The make-believe tree glows brilliantly. This quietly lovely holiday tale underscores the true meaning of the holidays: friendship and togetherness. The illustrations rely on a muted palette with spots of vivid colors; like a quilt, they’re soft and delicate. Human characters vary in skin tone.
A satisfyingly cozy winter holiday tale. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 26, 2025
ISBN: 9781774885376
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: April 4, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
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
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