This cute story is like a present and a friendship—to be enjoyed and shared.
The presence of presents cements a friendship.
In this story, a New Zealand import by way of Germany, a tall, potbellied, anthropomorphic horned owl relaxes in an armchair, expecting a visitor. In walks the cheery arrival: a short, slender, yellow-and-black creature resembling a salamander and wheeling a blue shopping cart. The visitor pulls out a cake, declaring, “I made it myself!” and hands it over. The owl promptly swallows it whole. This gift is followed by a colorful “freshly picked!” floral bouquet that also makes its way down the owl’s gullet. Unsurprisingly, a third offering—a gaily wrapped, bow-bedecked box—also gets inhaled whole. After each presentation, the owl expresses their appreciation with a rub of their rotund abdomen. When the owl raises the benefactor to their mouth, readers might well surmise things won’t end well. Surprise, surprise, however: The owl presents a present of their own and a gracious, punning compliment. This short comic, told in very spare language, conveys a sweet, simple message that children should easily comprehend and, hopefully, emulate: Kindness begets kindness. The lively, humorous illustrations, set in two panels per page, are endearingly expressive. The book is a lively conversation sparker, and adults should encourage discussion about the protagonists’ relationship, why the visitor bestowed these gifts, and what presents children would give the owl.
This cute story is like a present and a friendship—to be enjoyed and shared. (Graphic fiction. 3-6)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9781776574995
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Gecko Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
High-quality, inclusive illustrations make this one stand out.
From the changing season to decorations and costumes, children anticipate Halloween.
Little readers will enjoy all of the familiar markers of the season included in this book: falling leaves, jack-o’-lanterns, Halloween costumes, candy, and trick-or-treating. Everett’s rhyming couplets bob along safely, offering nothing that will wow but enough to keep the pages turning. It’s Wen’s illustrations that give the most to readers, full of bustling scenes and lovely details. A double-page spread of the children in town in front of the candy store includes jars with individually drawn treats and other festive delicacies. The townwide celebration features instruments, creative costumes, and a diverse crowd of people. There are three children who appear as the focus of the illustrations, though there are many secondary characters. One bespectacled White child is drawn in a manual wheelchair, another has dark brown skin, the third presents Asian. The child in the wheelchair is shown as a full participant. Readers will enjoy spotting spooks like a vampire, goblin, and werewolf, as they sometimes appear in the background and other times blend in with the crowd. The familiar trappings of Halloween paired with the robust illustrations will have little readers wanting to reread even if the content itself is not startlingly new.
High-quality, inclusive illustrations make this one stand out. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-7282-0586-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2021
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
