An inspiring example of the good that can result from one act, no matter how small.
Can one tiny hummingbird douse a woodland fire by herself?
The story opens on an idyllic African plains setting dotted with acacia trees. The hummingbird is building a nest in anticipation of eggs soon to come when a spark ignites a full-blown fire. She rushes to the river and attempts to fight the blaze, flying back and forth, holding just one drop of water in her beak on each trip. When an elephant expresses incredulity at her efforts, she replies, “I am doing what I can.” In an illustrator’s note, Brian Pinkney describes how he painted on top of his late father Jerry’s unfinished sketches to create dynamic acrylic and ink scenes. This poignant duet has produced gorgeous compositions. Jerry’s skill in capturing an animal’s essence is on full display, while Brian’s signature swirls add energy to his exciting palette. In her author’s note, Alper explains that the tale originated with the Quechua people of South America, though she first heard it from Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai. The text has a melodic flow and cadence. Alper has embellished the narrative, adding a collective response to the bird’s actions. After the elephant joins the fight, a cluster of ants lift leaves containing small puddles above their heads; a chimpanzee carries a vessel of water. The drop that finally extinguishes the flames comes from the protagonist.
An inspiring example of the good that can result from one act, no matter how small. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2025
ISBN: 9780593309124
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Anne Schwartz/Random
Review Posted Online: Dec. 28, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2025
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Hee haw.
The print version of a knee-slapping cumulative ditty.
In the song, Smith meets a donkey on the road. It is three-legged, and so a “wonky donkey” that, on further examination, has but one eye and so is a “winky wonky donkey” with a taste for country music and therefore a “honky-tonky winky wonky donkey,” and so on to a final characterization as a “spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey.” A free musical recording (of this version, anyway—the author’s website hints at an adults-only version of the song) is available from the publisher and elsewhere online. Even though the book has no included soundtrack, the sly, high-spirited, eye patch–sporting donkey that grins, winks, farts, and clumps its way through the song on a prosthetic metal hoof in Cowley’s informal watercolors supplies comical visual flourishes for the silly wordplay. Look for ready guffaws from young audiences, whether read or sung, though those attuned to disability stereotypes may find themselves wincing instead or as well.
Hee haw. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: May 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-545-26124-1
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 28, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© 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.
