A fun, rollicking “baddie” story that’s welcome anytime.
Three malefactors get their comeuppance.
Said baddies—a troll, a ghost, and a witch—are beyond redemption and proud of it. They’re boastful besides, each proclaiming that their dastardly powers outdo the others’. When a young girl moves into the neighborhood, they set their nefarious sights on her: The ghost itches to haunt her; the troll relishes eating her; the witch brags she’ll turn her to stone. A heated power struggle ensues, and a nearby white mouse issues a challenge: Whoever’s the worst should easily be able to steal the girl’s blue-spotted hanky. Troll goes first with an under-the-bridge ploy, expecting to terrorize the girl with a roar when she strolls across; his stratagem results only in the ghost and witch laughing at him (he lands in the water) while the girl walks off, hanky in hand. Is it giving away too much to reveal that the remaining baddies’ plans for hanky-pilfering also fail? In the end, the girl decides the hanky’s fate, much to the benefit of that white mouse and its children. This humorous British import, told in bouncy verses that scan well, will keep kids giggling. Its message is that kindness—and smarts, too (the girl soundly outwits her would-be enemies)—overcomes evil intentions. The colorful, lively illustrations are filled with witty details, and the baddies are more comically blustery than scary. The girl is brown-skinned, the witch is light-skinned, and the troll is light-skinned and covered in blue-green fur. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A fun, rollicking “baddie” story that’s welcome anytime. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2023
ISBN: 9781339009063
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2023
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
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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