A motivational nudge to develop talent—innate or acquired.
It’s not easy being a prognosticator—just ask Groundhog.
Despite being a proud descendent of a long line of meritorious meteorologists, Groundhog still gets his first forecast WRONG! He doesn’t see his shadow, so he tells everyone that winter is over—but when plans for warm weather activities fall through due to snow, the flip-flops–wearing townsfolk show up outside his burrow demanding answers. Groundhog attempts to get rid of the snow, but when that doesn’t work, he resigns his position and sets off searching for his true calling. Sheep herder? Nope. Making honey? No. Dam builder? Negative. Despondent, he trudges home. Wait—what are all those charts? And those books. He’d never paid attention to those before. In no time at all, Groundhog is taking online meteorology classes. This time, when Feb. 2 rolls around, Groundhog is prepared. Townes’ whimsical, behind-the-scenes look at the hairier side of weather foreshadowing encapsulates the adage “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” The use of alliteration to describe the overwhelming mounds of snow is a nice touch—“too excessive to excavate,” “too deep to defrost,” “too slick to shovel.” Depicting diverse townspeople, Miles’ frosty illustrations comically highlight the lengths that Groundhog is prepared to go to in order to ensure spring makes its calculated debut. Cameos throughout from a hairless pink cat add to the shivery fun. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A motivational nudge to develop talent—innate or acquired. (note about Groundhog Day) (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Jan. 3, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-32615-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2022
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
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience.
The How to Catch A… crew try for Comet.
Having already failed to nab a Halloween witch, the Easter Bunny, a turkey, a leprechaun, the Tooth Fairy, and over a dozen other iconic trophies in previous episodes of this bestselling series, one would think the racially diverse gaggle of children in Elkerton’s moonlit, wintry scenes would be flagging…but no, here they lay out snares ranging from a loop of garland to an igloo baited with reindeer moss to an enticing candy cane maze, all in hopes of snagging one of Santa’s reindeer while he’s busy delivering presents. Infused with pop culture–based Christmas cheer (“Now I’ve already seen the shelf with the elf”), Comet prances past the traps until it’s time to gather up the kids, most of whom look terrified, for a group snapshot with the other reindeer and then climb back into harness: “This was a great stop but a few million to go / Christmas Eve must continue with style!” Though festive, the verse feels trite and unlikely to entice youngsters. A sprinkling of “True Facts About Reindeer” (“They live in the tundra, where they have friends like the arctic bunny”) wrap up this celebration of the predatory spirit. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 9781728276137
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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