This quiet exploration will leave readers and listeners with a cozy sense of connection and belonging while also...
A seafaring cat learns the meaning of home.
Vincent, an orange cat with wide eyes, is capable of complex thought but not otherwise anthropomorphized. He enjoys life aboard a cargo vessel but is curious about the sailors’ oft-voiced longing for “home.” So he decides to follow one of them off the ship so that he can find out just where Home is and what all the fuss is about. The Bagleys include subtle visual clues that although he’s unaware of it, Vincent has a fine home already. From the name of the ship (Domus) to the appearance of the cheerfully whistling white captain in the background to Vincent’s admission that the captain’s cabin is his “favorite place,” the evidence suggests that if “Home is where the people who love you are,” then Vincent need search no longer. As in previous titles, an idea that could come across as saccharine benefits from a straightforward text and matter-of-fact tone. The expansive setting allows for a range of engaging scenes, from a charmingly old-fashioned–looking world map to hillside towns, tropical islands, icy landscapes, and starry nights at sea. Realistic pen-and-watercolor illustrations vary in size and placement and effectively combine soft textures and crisp lines.
This quiet exploration will leave readers and listeners with a cozy sense of connection and belonging while also acknowledging the thrill of new vistas. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Feb. 13, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-62672-780-9
Page Count: 37
Publisher: Neal Porter/Roaring Brook
Review Posted Online: Nov. 21, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 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
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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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