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JUST KEEP GOING

A gently presented suite of responses to help kids face fears and “just keep going.”

A mouse regulates his complicated emotions with guidance from a supportive group of animal pals.

A small rodent with giant ears has “BIG feelings.” When thunder and lightning scare him, a kindly rabbit suggests that they jump up and down together. The activity helps, though Mouse accidentally destroys a flower, which prompts another emotional reaction. (Guilt? Regret?) A nearby bird offers a hug, and Mouse feels much better. The prospect of traversing a creaky-looking bridge elicits fear, but Deer assures Mouse, “It will help if you just put one foot in front of the other.” When a bear cub fails to offer Mouse some berries, Mouse feels hurt. Butterfly’s answer: “Stop what you’re doing, pause, and breathe.” (And then the cub shares.) Later, Mouse ends up in a literally dark place as he struggles with his fear of failure. Owl tells him to close his eyes and picture “what you want.” After each solution comes the refrain “Just keep going.” Smith doesn’t touch on all big emotions—anger, pain, disgust, grief—but when it comes to frustration and, especially, fear, the regularity of this litany will be reassuring. The illustrations are greeting-card friendly, in soft earthy tones, with big-eyed, simplified animals and natural settings. Negative emotions appear as dark spikes, scribbles, bubbles, or clouds behind Mouse and trail off as they dissipate; many youngsters will find such literal imaging comforting and empowering.

A gently presented suite of responses to help kids face fears and “just keep going.” (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2025

ISBN: 9781728290300

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2025

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PETE THE CAT'S 12 GROOVY DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among

Pete, the cat who couldn’t care less, celebrates Christmas with his inimitable lassitude.

If it weren’t part of the title and repeated on every other page, readers unfamiliar with Pete’s shtick might have a hard time arriving at “groovy” to describe his Christmas celebration, as the expressionless cat displays not a hint of groove in Dean’s now-trademark illustrations. Nor does Pete have a great sense of scansion: “On the first day of Christmas, / Pete gave to me… / A road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” The cat is shown at the wheel of a yellow microbus strung with garland and lights and with a star-topped tree tied to its roof. On the second day of Christmas Pete gives “me” (here depicted as a gray squirrel who gets on the bus) “2 fuzzy gloves, and a road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” On the third day, he gives “me” (now a white cat who joins Pete and the squirrel) “3 yummy cupcakes,” etc. The “me” mentioned in the lyrics changes from day to day and gift to gift, with “4 far-out surfboards” (a frog), “5 onion rings” (crocodile), and “6 skateboards rolling” (a yellow bird that shares its skateboards with the white cat, the squirrel, the frog, and the crocodile while Pete drives on). Gifts and animals pile on until the microbus finally arrives at the seaside and readers are told yet again that it’s all “GROOVY!”

Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among . (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018

ISBN: 978-0-06-267527-9

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Aug. 19, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018

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THE LITTLE GHOST WHO WAS A QUILT

From the Little Ghost Quilt Book series

Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available.

A ghost learns to appreciate his differences.

The little ghost protagonist of this title is unusual. He’s a quilt, not a lightweight sheet like his parents and friends. He dislikes being different despite his mom’s reassurance that his ancestors also had unconventional appearances. Halloween makes the little ghost happy, though. He decides to watch trick-or-treaters by draping over a porch chair—but lands on a porch rail instead. A mom accompanying her daughter picks him up, wraps him around her chilly daughter, and brings him home with them! The family likes his looks and comforting warmth, and the little ghost immediately feels better about himself. As soon as he’s able to, he flies out through the chimney and muses happily that this adventure happened only due to his being a quilt. This odd but gently told story conveys the importance of self-respect and acceptance of one’s uniqueness. The delivery of this positive message has something of a heavy-handed feel and is rushed besides. It also isn’t entirely logical: The protagonist could have been a different type of covering; a blanket, for instance, might have enjoyed an identical experience. The soft, pleasing illustrations’ palette of tans, grays, white, black, some touches of color, and, occasionally, white text against black backgrounds suggest isolation, such as the ghost feels about himself. Most humans, including the trick-or-treating mom and daughter, have beige skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 66.2% of actual size.)

Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020

ISBN: 978-0-7352-6447-2

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Tundra Books

Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020

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