Reach for books that show the people being referenced instead.
Various animal species affirm that no one is better than another.
“We are all equal,” each page of this simple book proclaims; three lines follow, rhyming in an abcb pattern and reflecting the differences between the two kinds of animals on the page, the second one of which segues to the next double-page spread. A panda speaks to a monkey, the monkey to penguins, and so on. The text makes explicit references to human differences that are often judged. Immigration is addressed: “You’ve crossed land and sea. / This country’s your home now, / it’s for you and me.” So are marriage equality (two un-antlered deer rub noses: “Our love we decide. / We can get married, / no love is denied”), body shaming, and income inequality, among others. The illustrations feature smiling, friendly animals getting along with different species; all join together on the last page, declaring joyously, “We share hopes and dreams. / We’re equal and proud.” The cadence stumbles in some places, making it slightly awkward to read aloud. The expressive illustrations make up for the lackluster text; as a whole, the book is engaging enough to confirm messages of equality for very young children. However, the use of animal characters in this indirect didacticism dilutes the importance of acknowledging power dynamics among different human groups and cannot replace wide and varied exposure to human characters of all kinds. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-19-inch double-page spreads viewed at 34.1% of actual size.)
Reach for books that show the people being referenced instead. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-20255-5
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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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