A beautifully illustrated and appealing animal tale that underscores defying odds and helping others.
A determined penguin fulfills an unlikely dream in this illustrated children’s book.
Ingrid, a penguin, wishes she could fly and is excited when she meets New York City pigeons Sue and Lenny in Antarctica. They encourage her to travel to a special place in upstate New York where she can learn how to glide. Ingrid boards a ship from Antarctica to New York City and takes the Staten Island Ferry into Manhattan, where she marvels at the busy streets and intriguing sites. Helpful critters assist her quest, including Lenny’s cousin Lou and a group of savvy rats at Penn Station who instruct her to hitch trains to “Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex.” There, Ingrid is inspired by a skilled human skier named Klaus. Ingrid asserts: “That man has no wings and he’s flying. If that man…can fly, so can I!” Klaus teaches Ingrid to ski, and she embraces her natural abilities. Although “her little wings might not work well for flapping and regular flying…they seemed to be perfect for helping her steer in the air off a ski jump.” Ingrid is proud of her progress and eventually returns to Antarctica. Utilizing her skills and experiences, she helps the penguin community solve a traffic issue. She proposes: “We build a jump that goes down to the sea. We use it to glide down and fly into the water….This will be much faster and more fun than waddling…With penguins gliding down one way on the jump and others walking back up.” She enthusiastically teaches the others how to fly through the water, and is proud to prove that penguins can soar after all. McDermott’s engaging story features commendable instances of following a passion, learning from new friends, and embracing rewarding challenges. Ingrid’s pursuit will motivate youngsters to consider their own aspirations. Readers will enjoy following along on Ingrid’s adventure, which is filled with amusing details like rats and pigeons who speak with New York accents. Anderson’s lovely illustrations offer realistic renderings that emphasize unusual textures, shades, and tones. The lifelike animal depictions, detailed buildings and streets, and recognizable sites like the Statue of Liberty are delightful additions.
A beautifully illustrated and appealing animal tale that underscores defying odds and helping others.Pub Date: Feb. 2, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-73335-485-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Notable Kids Publishing
Review Posted Online: Jan. 31, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.
A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.
Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it.
What happens when a robot washes up alone on an island?
“Everything was just right on the island.” Brown beautifully re-creates the first days of Roz, the protagonist of his Wild Robot novels, as she adapts to living in the natural world. A storm-tossed ship, seen in the opening just before the title page, and a packing crate are the only other human-made objects to appear in this close-up look at the robot and her new home. Roz emerges from the crate, and her first thought as she sets off up a grassy hill—”This must be where I belong”—is sweetly glorious, a note of recognition rather than conquest. Roz learns to move, hide, and communicate like the creatures she meets. When she discovers an orphaned egg—and the gosling Brightbill, who eventually hatches—her decision to be his mother seems a natural extension of her adaptation. Once he flies south for the winter, her quiet wait across seasons for his return is a poignant portrayal of separation and change. Brown’s clean, precise lines and deep, light-filled colors offer a sense of what Roz might be seeing, suggesting a place that is alive yet deeply serene and radiant. Though the book stands alone, it adds an immensely appealing dimension to Roz’s world. Round thumbnails offer charming peeks into the island world, depicting Roz’s animal neighbors and Brightbill’s maturation.
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 24, 2025
ISBN: 9780316669467
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
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