Sure to make the season a little merrier, no matter what plans readers have.
Scaredy Squirrel wants to have the PERFECT Christmas…if only his friends would cooperate.
Scaredy Squirrel starts preparing for the holidays in July. “He makes a list and checks it way more than twice.” When December arrives, Scaredy is ready, and his friends want to help with the plans, but when Tim and Rash try to toboggan down a mountain, they accidentally snowball and end up destroying all the decorations. After Scaredy’s pals make several horrible and humorous suggestions for substitute decorations, Ivy has the perfect solution: hanging red and green Ping-Pong balls on the tree. The friends even set up a security detail to protect the tree from nutcrackers, “mobs of last-minute shoppers,” and elves. Short chapters with brief speech bubbles keep the action moving as Scaredy’s list for holiday preparations is completed. Holiday treats are baked, a gingerbread house is constructed, gifts are thoughtfully selected and wrapped, a Christmas Eve party is planned and enjoyed (sort of), and treats are left for Santa and the reindeer. Humor is threaded throughout all the preparations—Tim wants to “trim” the tree by removing branches with his beaver teeth, and hilariously precise, step-by-step plans will encourage kids to create their own decorations and gingerbread houses.
Sure to make the season a little merrier, no matter what plans readers have. (Graphic fiction. 6-8)Pub Date: Oct. 3, 2023
ISBN: 9780593307618
Page Count: 88
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Will draw more eyes than ever to the antics of this tuberous twosome.
Can Rot Poe Tater scare the snot out of Snot, his irritating big brother? Maybe with help from friends!
Tired of being the victim of his sib’s mischievous pranks, Rot, an anthropomorphic potato, is determined to turn the tables. Unfortunately, Snot seems to have eyes in the back of his head (no surprise, considering that he’s a potato), and even with a new pair of sneakers, Rot just can’t get the drop on him. Where can Rot learn to be even sneakier? Spy school, of course! Though Rot makes a hash out of lessons in keeping secrets and other spy skills, he finds classmates with complementary talents willing to help dish up a plan clever enough to startle the smirking older spud into a spectacularly gooey sneeze. And rather than mashing down his booger-blasted little bro, Snot gives him grudging props. Rot and pals rush to celebrate over a plate of only slightly slimed cupcakes (yum!), and the tale closes with a roguish final twist. The art, peeled down to the essentials and made with a mix of earth-toned paints, digital effects, and potato prints, adds to the episode’s air of mildly decayed charm.
Will draw more eyes than ever to the antics of this tuberous twosome. (nature facts, pranking guidelines, drawing lesson) (Graphic fiction. 6-8)Pub Date: Oct. 28, 2025
ISBN: 9781665964302
Page Count: 88
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 4, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2025
While this is not an essential purchase, most little pumpkins will love being told, “Baby, I'm batty for you!” (Board book....
Young children won't understand the metaphors but will appreciate the sentiment made clear by the repeated, Halloween-themed declarations of love in Wan's latest board book.
Each of the seven spreads presents an endearment illustrated by an object drawn with heavy outlines and just enough detail to invoke its essential characteristics. Lest it become too maudlin, between the “sugary, sweet candy corn” and a “purr-fect, cuddly kitty” is a “wild, messy monster.” Wan manages to make each drawing expressive and distinctive while relying on just a few shapes—crescents or circles for eyes, dots or ovals accenting cheeks. Although each spread stands alone, there are quiet connections. For example, the orange of the pumpkin is repeated in the candy corn, and the purple that adorns kitty's hat and bow becomes the prominent color on the next spread, setting off the friendly white ghost nicely. The same purple is used for the spider's body on the next to last spread. Subtle, shadowed backgrounds repeat the patterns found elsewhere in the book. For example, the background of the page with the kitty includes pumpkins, hearts, and hats and bows like the ones kitty is wearing.
While this is not an essential purchase, most little pumpkins will love being told, “Baby, I'm batty for you!” (Board book. 6 mos.-3)Pub Date: June 28, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-545-88092-3
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
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