Next book

ROSEMARY LONG EARS

This perky pooch will have youngsters adopting a similarly positive perspective.

A delightfully different dog and her owner go for a walk.

Rosemary’s smooth brown ears flow out well past her low-slung body. Her best friend, a brown-skinned child, dons red boots (matching the color of Rosemary’s leash) so they can “go find some fun!” On a pleasant suburban walk, they puddle-jump, share laughter, and observe a ladybug. Eventually, covered with leaves, seeds, mud, and ice cream, Rosemary is “a mess!” (Those long ears are a magnet for dirt.) Reluctantly returning home, she complains vocally (“AwOOOOOOOO!”) about her much-needed bath—until a floating bubble lands on her nose. Popping the soapy spheres brings back her playfulness, and even though Rosemary’s post-bath shake-off scatters water widely, the child applauds: “You make everything fun, Rosemary!” Rosemary’s upbeat attitude makes this book a ray of autumn sunshine. Distinctive gouache and crayon art, naïve and cheerful, matches the mood. Maps on the endpapers use paw prints to trace the friends’ route on a rainy but colorful fall day. Rosemary’s long eyelashes give her an almost human look, though she isn’t otherwise anthropomorphized; she’s immensely vivid as she prances through the book like a real, beloved pet.

This perky pooch will have youngsters adopting a similarly positive perspective. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: April 22, 2025

ISBN: 9780316573320

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: April 4, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2025

Next book

WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.

Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)

Pub Date: May 1, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019

Next book

THE COOL BEAN MAKES A SPLASH

From the I Can Read! series

Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.

The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.

Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.

Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)

Pub Date: March 26, 2024

ISBN: 9780063329560

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024

Close Quickview