This winning tale with considerable child appeal will entertain young readers whether they suffer from a bit of separation...
Though he is distressed that his mother is going out for the whole day without him for the first time, Arthur and Grandma do their best to play through his bouts of moodiness and engage in some adventurous fun.
Small Arthur the mouse, dressed in a cozy, bright green dragon costume, is an adorable little fellow sure to instantly charm readers. Mommy takes him to Grandma’s house, where he is greeted with a big hug, “[b]ut soon it was time for Mommy to go.” Arthur “waved and waved until Mommy was gone.” Sympathetic Grandma suggests some activities. Paint a picture? “Rargghh!” Make some dragon music? “OK!” Each time Arthur and Grandma get carried away with their imaginary games, the doorbell rings. And each time Arthur is disappointed when it is the letter carrier or a neighbor instead of his mother. Dedicated Grandma matches each moment of despair with an even better idea. From hiding treasure to protecting its hiding place from the tickling Grandma-Knight, Arthur is kept happily occupied. When the doorbell rings one more time, brave Arthur the dragon is ready to battle whoever dares to enter. What a surprise when it is Mommy! Corderoy and Edgson combine an engaging text with a variety of full-page and spot illustrations that capture exciting episodes of dramatic play—Grandma brandishing her feather duster as a sword is particularly impressive—and glimpses of fleeting emotion.
This winning tale with considerable child appeal will entertain young readers whether they suffer from a bit of separation anxiety or not. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-58925-130-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: March 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2013
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
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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