Imagination conquers fear yet again. Arrgh!
Rapkin and Martinez build on the imaginative fun of It’s Not a Bed, It’s a Time Machine (2019) with this romp on a pirate ship that looks suspiciously like a school bus.
A cowering child in a red-and-white–striped shirt clutches a stuffed parrot as the school bus approaches. Mom says, “Don’t be scared. You’re the Master of Mornings. The Captain of Cool!” A blue-toned interior shot of the bus shows the imaginary horrors the child envisions seated on the bus, all rendered in a childlike style: a pelican, a shark, a ghost, a skeleton. But everything changes when the driver announces it’s a pirate ship, not a bus. The pint-sized buccaneer, who has pale skin and wavy brown hair, quickly makes a friend in Zenzi, a brown-skinned girl with curls in a topknot. The two exchange jokes, sing pirate songs, and apply sticker tattoos as the riders around them improvise their own pirate gear, including a scribbled paper beard, a hook hand, and an eye patch. The protagonist’s nerves come back when they land at school, but with Zenzi, they can face anything. Martinez’s whimsical flights of fancy fill the illustrations to bursting. Some of what the children see seems based on reality—mermaids exercising with headphones—while others are more difficult to parse, opening the reading up to a dialogue. Pair with Kindergarrrten Bus (2018) by Mike Ornstein and illustrated by Kevin M. Barry.
Imagination conquers fear yet again. Arrgh! (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: June 16, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-250-22977-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Imprint
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
A charming winner about purpose, bravery, and making one’s dreams come true.
Dedication and determination are everything.
Gabriel, an old elephant who lives by the sea, reminisces about visiting a lifeboat as a youngster. He loved watching the crew ready it to rescue sailors and enjoyed listening to them sing sea shanties. He longed to be so brave! When Gabriel asked to join them, they told him to return when he was older and stronger. Gabriel read about storms and sea rescues and practiced rowing. He grew older, stronger, and BIGGER. By the time he returned to the crew, Gabriel had unfortunately grown too large to fit into the boat. More intent than ever, Gabriel constructed his own vessel, singing mightily. Meanwhile, the fishing fleet set out, then ran into big trouble when a strong gale hit. The regular lifeboat team couldn’t help. Guess who rescued the sailors safely with his own powerful vessel? In the end, everyone decided to build a larger craft to accommodate everyone. By turns thrilling and warmly reassuring, this story demonstrates that resolve—and inclusion—wins out; readers will cheer for Gabriel all the way. Sailing through the narrative are vigorous shanties readers might well join in on. Fitting his animal cast out in thick sweaters and raincoats, Vere brings the Cornish setting to life beautifully. Gabriel cuts an endearing figure in the lively illustrations, rendered in a limited palette of soft oranges, grays, and blues.
A charming winner about purpose, bravery, and making one’s dreams come true. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 7, 2024
ISBN: 9780525580904
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024
An affirming friendship tale and a reminder to embrace oneself.
In this sequel to Cranky (2023), the grouchy crane returns, with a new character in tow.
The book opens on an optimistic note. Seated at the breakfast table, Cranky cracks a true smile alongside a younger brother; both sport matching yellow and orange paint. The mood shifts swiftly at the Sandbox Hills construction yard when a smaller green crane bursts onto the scene. With his constant stream of chatter and jokes, Lefty is equal parts annoying and earnest as he proclaims, “I’M FOLLOWING CRANKY TODAY SO I CAN LEARN HOW TO BE THE BEST CRANE I CAN BE.” To Cranky’s horror, the newcomer quickly endears himself to the other crew members. Cranky’s insecurity is deeply relatable; feeling left out, the crane attempts to crack fake smiles and tell jokes, to the others’ consternation. (“What’s wrong with your face, Cranky?”) At last, Cranky literally blows a gasket, depicted effectively on a page with a dramatically red backdrop. Friends offer Cranky words of reassurance: “We like you because you’re Cranky. Nobody is like you.” Tran and Oswald plainly demonstrate useful strategies for coping with big feelings, like sitting quietly alone and expressing oneself. Oswald’s chunky illustrations, rooted in primary colors, will engage younger children, while speech bubbles offer older kids that cool comic book feel. Construction puns abound; Cranky frequently resorts to the pseudo-swear “Oh clang it” when frustrated.
An affirming friendship tale and a reminder to embrace oneself. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2025
ISBN: 9780063256309
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Oct. 12, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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