Handsomely designed but, even as media tie-ins go, thin sauce.
Glimpses of sets, costumes, and characters from the Harry Potter films and 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Being more a pricey keepsake than a comprehensive introduction to the filmic Potterverse, this album mixes stills, portraits of the nearly all-white casts, concept art, storyboard sketches, and set photos featuring assorted actors and locales. There are also brief nods to a very few of the Muggles and No-Majs who worked behind the scenes. Revenson, author of several previous HP spinoffs, contributes short blocks of puffery designed to tantalize rather than inform: “Eddie Redmayne loved wearing Newt’s coat with its endless pockets.” “When the director and producer saw [Evanna Lynch’s] audition tape, they said, ‘Evanna is Luna!’ ” Etcetera. The first section introduces major players in Fantastic Beasts without spoilers or reference to the plotline; the second looks back through the eight previous films with profiles of, in no particular order, Harry and the rest, Gringotts and Diagon Alley, the Frog Choir, Hogsmeade, and three dozen other people, places, or things. A handful of small folded posters, postcards, stickers, and face masks are tucked into pockets or attached by one corner to a few pages.
Handsomely designed but, even as media tie-ins go, thin sauce. (Novelty. 7-10)Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9582-8
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Nov. 15, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape.
The fourth installment in Delacre’s early-reader series centers on the rich musical traditions of Puerto Rico, once again featuring sibling tree frogs Rafi and Rosi Coquí.
Readers learn along with Rafi and Rosi as they explore bomba, plena, and salsa in three chapters. A glossary at the beginning sets readers up well to understand the Spanish vocabulary, including accurate phoneticization for non-Spanish speakers. The stories focus on Rafi and Rosi’s relationship within a musical context. For example, in one chapter Rafi finds out that he attracts a larger audience playing his homemade güiro with Rosi’s help even though he initially excluded her: “Big brothers only.” Even when he makes mistakes, as the older brother, Rafi consoles Rosi when she is embarrassed or angry at him. In each instance, their shared joy for music and dance ultimately shines through any upsets—a valuable reflection of unity. Informational backmatter and author’s sources are extensive. Undoubtedly these will help teachers, librarians, and parents to develop Puerto Rican cultural programs, curriculum, or home activities to extend young readers’ learning. The inclusion of instructions to make one’s own homemade güiro is a thoughtful addition. The Spanish translation, also by Delacre and published simultaneously, will require a more advanced reader than the English one to recognize and comprehend contractions (“pa’bajo-pa-pa’rriba”) and relatively sophisticated vocabulary.
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape. (Early reader. 7-9)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-89239-429-6
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Children's Book Press
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
Having put together a band with renowned cousin Duck Ellington and singer “Bee” Holiday, Rooster’s chances sure look...
Winning actually isn’t everything, as jazz-happy Rooster learns when he goes up against the legendary likes of Mules Davis and Ella Finchgerald at the barnyard talent show.
Having put together a band with renowned cousin Duck Ellington and singer “Bee” Holiday, Rooster’s chances sure look good—particularly after his “ ‘Hen from Ipanema’ [makes] / the barnyard chickies swoon.”—but in the end the competition is just too stiff. No matter: A compliment from cool Mules and the conviction that he still has the world’s best band soon puts the strut back in his stride. Alexander’s versifying isn’t always in tune (“So, he went to see his cousin, / a pianist of great fame…”), and despite his moniker Rooster plays an electric bass in Bower’s canted country scenes. Children are unlikely to get most of the jokes liberally sprinkled through the text, of course, so the adults sharing it with them should be ready to consult the backmatter, which consists of closing notes on jazz’s instruments, history and best-known musicians.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-58536-688-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2011
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