A playful twist on an everyday adventure about choosing a new pet.
In this new installment of Child’s popular series, Charlie and his imaginative younger sister, Lola, dream about owning a new dog, but, as usual, Lola has fanciful ideas about what kind of dog they should choose.
Mom and Dad say, “Absolutely no dogs!” but all Lola will talk about is what kind of dog to get when her dad takes her to the pet store on Saturday. Their mom suggests a rabbit instead, but a rabbit “is not even the same as a squirrel,” let alone a dog. As the siblings discuss their future pet with Charlie’s friend Marv (who is white, like the siblings) and Lola’s friend Lotta (who is depicted with dark brown skin and curly black hair), Lola imagines a dog with nice ears to hold its glasses on, a puffy tail, a wiggly nose for sniffing, and hopping legs. These clues about Lola’s perfect pet lead naturally to the surprise at the end, when Lola returns from the store with a pet who looks more like a rabbit than a dog after all. An imaginary dog on a leash follows Lola through the mixed-media, digitally collaged illustrations until she brings home her new pet. Charlie’s response to his sister’s wild ideas models patience and encourages creative thinking.
A playful twist on an everyday adventure about choosing a new pet. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 3, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5362-0036-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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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