Darling illustrations and a gentle storyline combine for a lovely tale about the bonds of friendship.
When Penguin discovers a lost elephant, he vows to help her get home.
Marking the 10th anniversary of Yoon’s Penguin and Pinecone (2012), this tale sees the popular character return for another story of friendship. After freeing Penelope the elephant from the mud, Penguin tries to help her find her herd. They eventually swim their way across a body of water, following tracks on the other side back to Penelope’s family. The message—about the importance of trust in friendship and the value of staying connected despite distance—rings true. Adults sharing the story with children will feel a pang at Penguin’s words to Penelope, “I’ll never forget you either, because you’re unforgettable.” Penguin’s scarf, ever the symbol of the gift of friendship, becomes Penelope’s, tying the two together. Yoon’s signature illustrative style is on display; with thick black outlines reminiscent of block-printed art, each page feels simultaneously simple and detailed. The shift of perspective to a bird’s-eye view of Penguin and Penelope and depictions of interlocking elephant trunks “hugging” add richness to the storytelling. In the same vein as the other Penguin tales, this one is sweet and earnest and sure to resonate with fans and newcomers.
Darling illustrations and a gentle storyline combine for a lovely tale about the bonds of friendship. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-68119-344-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2022
PERSPECTIVES
Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school...
The familiar theme of the challenges facing a new kid in town is given an original treatment by photographer Border in this book of photos of three-dimensional objects in a simple modeled landscape.
Peanut Butter is represented by a slice of white bread spread with the popular condiment. The other characters in the story—a hamburger with a pair of hot dogs in tow, a bowl of alphabet soup, a meatball jumping a rope of spaghetti, a carton of French fries and a pink cupcake—are represented by skillfully crafted models of these foods, anthropomorphized using simple wire construction. Rejected by each character in turn in his search for playmates, Peanut Butter discovers in the end that Jelly is his true match (not Cupcake, as the title suggests), perhaps because she is the only one who looks like him, being a slice of white bread spread with jelly. The friendly foods end up happily playing soccer together. Some parents may have trouble with the unabashedly happy depiction of carbs and American junk food (no carrots or celery sticks in this landscape), and others may find themselves troubled by the implication that friendship across difference is impossible.
Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school experiences. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 29, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-399-16773-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014
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
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