A warmhearted and warm-spirited story of love and acceptance.
Vulpine or canine? That is the question.
A very attractive red fox named Luca enters a well-maintained city park only to face rejection. Luca considers himself a dog, whereas the dogs of the park consider him a fox. In a bold two-page spread, Luca firmly states, “I am not a fox.” Nonetheless, he does not share the physical traits of the many varieties of park-walking dogs. He wanders the city streets only to be chased by hounds. In a museum, Luca sees himself in a painting—but the label says the animals are a “skulk of foxes.” He resigns himself to the life of a fox. At night, in the quiet of the woods, Luca encounters several foxes that, in turn, reject him. Clearly he is a dog, they declare, because he looks and acts like one. In what readers will welcome as the fitting conclusion to this story of identity crisis, a little girl discovers Luca, takes him home, and embraces him. Now, with his person, he can enter the park happily. Wolf’s lovely little tale does not actually answer the question except to say that an animal in the city with a girl to love him is a contented one. Groenink’s digital illustrations are softly textured and showcase a very appealing title character. The girl who finds Luca has light skin and wears her straight, black hair in a pageboy.
A warmhearted and warm-spirited story of love and acceptance. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 23, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-399-17450-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: July 29, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
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