A sweet look at what makes Christmas special.
Hedgehog and Tortoise experience their first Christmas.
“Merry whatmas? / Merry whichmas?” What in the world is Christmas? Fox declares that “Christmas is all about presents.” With kind smiles, Hedgehog and Tortoise think that sounds lovely. But alas, Fox greedily snatches all the brightly wrapped gifts and refuses to share. Badger, however, has a more culinary take on the holiday. “Christmas time is treat time,” Badger says, holding out a spoon of delicious batter to lick (though, unfortunately for Tortoise, it includes raisins). Each woodland creature has a different idea of what makes Christmas special: the singing, decorating, or maybe even the cozy sweaters. Rabbit alludes to the stress of the season: “Everything needs to be perfect … / Perfect! Perfect! Perfect!” The Christmas crackers make loud bangs (a British import cue), while the lights flash garishly. Neither Tortoise nor Hedgehog see the appeal of this holiday. In fact, Christmas seems downright overwhelming. Luckily, Owl arrives to tell them that the holiday “is about being with the ones you love.” And one thing they do know—it feels the best when they’re together. Dunbar’s soft, glowing art matches the duo’s warmth and tenderness, complete with rosy cheeks and gentle hugs. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A sweet look at what makes Christmas special. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 3, 2023
ISBN: 9780571379491
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how many mediocre sequels you can squeeze out of Seussian property.
Since a reformed Grinch is hardly any fun, this follow-up Grinches him up once more.
Those seeking more of the same, prepare to receive precisely that. Christmas is coming (again!), and the Grinch can hardly wait. He’s been patient all year, and now he can finally show the Whos down in Who-ville how much he’s changed. When the Grinch learns of a tree-decorating contest, he figures that if he wins, it’ll prove he truly has the Christmas spirit. He throws himself into the task, but when it comes time to judge the trees, the Grinch is horrified to discover that he’s received only the second-place trophy. Can Cindy-Lou Who find the words to save the day? Replicating many of the original beats and wordplay of the original, this tale feels like less a sequel and more like a vaguely rewritten variation. Meanwhile, Ruiz’s art seeks to bridge the gap between the animated Chuck Jones version of the Grinch and the one depicted in the original book. This thankless task results in a strange uncanny valley between Seuss and Jones but does allow the artist a chance to colorize everything and lend some racial diversity to the Who population (Cindy-Lou is light-skinned). (This book was reviewed digitally.)
It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how many mediocre sequels you can squeeze out of Seussian property. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9780593563168
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Aug. 15, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2023
Yes, the Pigeon has to go to school, and so do readers, and this book will surely ease the way.
All the typical worries and excuses kids have about school are filtered through Willems’ hysterical, bus-loving Pigeon.
Told mostly in speech balloons, the bird’s monologue will have kids (and their caregivers) in stitches at Pigeon’s excuses. From already knowing everything (except whatever question readers choose to provide in response to “Go ahead—ask me a question. / Any question!”) to fearing learning too much (“My head might pop off”), Pigeon’s imagination has run wild. Readers familiar with Pigeon will recognize the muted, matte backgrounds that show off the bird’s shenanigans so well. As in previous outings, Willems varies the size of the pigeon on the page to help communicate emotion, the bird teeny small on the double-page spread that illustrates the confession that “I’m… / scared.” And Pigeon’s eight-box rant about all the perils of school (“The unknown stresses me out, dude”) is marvelously followed by the realization (complete with lightbulb thought bubble) that school is the place for students to practice, with experts, all those skills they don’t yet have. But it is the ending that is so Willems, so Pigeon, and so perfect. Pigeon’s last question is “Well, HOW am I supposed to get there, anyway!?!” Readers will readily guess both the answer and Pigeon’s reaction.
Yes, the Pigeon has to go to school, and so do readers, and this book will surely ease the way. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 2, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-368-04645-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 7, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2019
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