Makes a good, reassuring case for positive reinforcement, but it’s not a standout.
Positive thinking can work wonders.
A young bear remarks on—and demonstrates—a number of skills and talents—cartwheeling, flying a kite, knowing books by heart, even being fearless—that, the bear adds, can only be accomplished if “You believe in me.” (“You” is depicted throughout as a caring, loving, stalwart adult bear.) The small ursine proceeds to declare confidently that no matter what the future holds, their dreams will always come true because of the special adult’s positivity. The message here is commendable: Parents and caregivers should always strive to cheer their little ones on. This volume would make a welcome gift for expectant or new parents to remind them how important it is that they develop and maintain children’s strong self-esteem. Strengthening the case that the book is aimed at adults, the narrator’s voice seems directed at them rather than youngsters; as a result, kids’ attention and understanding may flag. Though youngsters feel empowered and buoyed on a visceral level by adults’ affirmative behaviors, they’re unlikely to actually compliment their special grown-ups with the phrase “You believe in me.” Small children will probably also be confused by the book’s final line—“I believe in you”—which reverses the story’s familiar refrain suddenly. Wells comes through with her usual engaging illustrations. Lively and sweet, they present an endearing, warm adult-child relationship. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Makes a good, reassuring case for positive reinforcement, but it’s not a standout. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-63655-016-9
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Red Comet Press
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2022
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Serve this superbly designed title to all who relish slightly scary stories.
Kids know vegetables can be scary, but rarely are edible roots out to get someone. In this whimsical mock-horror tale, carrots nearly frighten the whiskers off Jasper Rabbit, an interloper at Crackenhopper Field.
Jasper loves carrots, especially those “free for the taking.” He pulls some in the morning, yanks out a few in the afternoon, and comes again at night to rip out more. Reynolds builds delicious suspense with succinct language that allows understatements to be fully exploited in Brown’s hilarious illustrations. The cartoon pictures, executed in pencil and then digitally colored, are in various shades of gray and serve as a perfectly gloomy backdrop for the vegetables’ eerie orange on each page. “Jasper couldn’t get enough carrots … / … until they started following him.” The plot intensifies as Jasper not only begins to hear the veggies nearby, but also begins to see them everywhere. Initially, young readers will wonder if this is all a product of Jasper’s imagination. Was it a few snarling carrots or just some bathing items peeking out from behind the shower curtain? The ending truly satisfies both readers and the book’s characters alike. And a lesson on greed goes down like honey instead of a forkful of spinach.
Serve this superbly designed title to all who relish slightly scary stories. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 21, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4424-0297-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 1, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2012
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