Somewhat preachy but enlivened by vibrant illustrations—and plenty of dragons.
A child learns a lesson on a celestial adventure.
After a day of squabbling with a brown-skinned sibling, a lighter-skinned youngster—referred to as “you” in the text, narrated in second person—lies awake in bed until a luminous dragon named Nuri beckons. Soon the protagonist is flying through the nighttime sky on Nuri’s back, zooming toward a gathering of diverse children riding dragons of their own. Like the siblings, the winged creatures fight until a wise Sky Dragon calls out, “PEACE NOW!” The dragons settle, helping the children write messages of tranquility on banners. Nearby, the protagonist’s little sister is writing her own message: “No pinching / no poking.” At the end of the night, Nuri takes the child home, where the two siblings make amends and fall into sweet dreams. The starry, jewel-toned illustrations sparkle, creating a dreamy nighttime environment filled with fantastical dragons. Strong shapes and lines combine with the thoughtful use of negative space. Repetition of the word imagine punctuates the narrative, clearly written to emphasize the importance of harmony. Whimsical touches—message-bearing comets, stars that taste like marshmallows—add a dash of fun to an otherwise didactic bedtime story. While the goal of eliminating sibling conflict is a noble one, fights are inevitable, and a discussion of how to resolve them might have been more helpful for caregivers and their little ones. Backmatter includes tidbits about dragon lore from around the world.
Somewhat preachy but enlivened by vibrant illustrations—and plenty of dragons. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Jan. 28, 2025
ISBN: 9781662602061
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Astra Young Readers
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2024
Menacing and most likely to appeal to established fans of its co-creators.
Existing artwork from an artistic giant inspires a fairy-tale reimagination by a master of the horror genre.
In King’s interpretation of a classic Brothers Grimm story, which accompanies set and costume designs that the late Sendak created for a 1997 production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera, siblings Hansel and Gretel survive abandonment in the woods and an evil witch’s plot to gobble them up before finding their “happily ever after” alongside their father. Prose with the reassuring cadence of an old-timey tale, paired with Sendak’s instantly recognizable artwork, will lull readers before capitalizing on these creators’ knack for injecting darkness into seemingly safe spaces. Gaping faces loom in crevices of rocks and trees, and a gloomy palette of muted greens and ocher amplify the story’s foreboding tone, while King never sugarcoats the peach-skinned children’s peril. Branches with “clutching fingers” hide “the awful enchanted house” of a “child-stealing witch,” all portrayed in an eclectic mix of spot and full-bleed images. Featuring insults that might strike some as harsh (“idiot,” “fool”), the lengthy, dense text may try young readers’ patience, and the often overwhelmingly ominous mood feels more pitched to adults—particularly those familiar with King and Sendak—but an introduction acknowledges grandparents as a likely audience, and nostalgia may prompt leniency over an occasional disconnect between words and art.
Menacing and most likely to appeal to established fans of its co-creators. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9780062644695
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 15, 2025
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
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