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Aug 12, 2024 | 
kirkusreviews.com | Maya Gabeira |Craig Smith |David Wiesner
A strong addition to the chorus of voices demanding action. A Brazilian professional surfer recalls challenges overcome in her youth and expresses strong environmental concerns.
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Aug 12, 2024 | 
kirkusreviews.com | Janet Lord |Julie Paschkis |James Dean |Craig Smith
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose amongPete, the cat who couldn’t care less, celebrates Christmas with his inimitable lassitude. If it weren’t part of the title and repeated on every other page, readers unfamiliar with Pete’s shtick might have a hard time arriving at “groovy” to describe his Christmas celebration, as the expressionless cat displays not a hint of groove in Dean’s now-trademark illustrations.
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Mar 21, 2024 | 
kirkusreviews.com | Kimberly Snyder |James Dean |Craig Smith |Katz Cowley
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose amongPete, the cat who couldn’t care less, celebrates Christmas with his inimitable lassitude. If it weren’t part of the title and repeated on every other page, readers unfamiliar with Pete’s shtick might have a hard time arriving at “groovy” to describe his Christmas celebration, as the expressionless cat displays not a hint of groove in Dean’s now-trademark illustrations.
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Mar 1, 2024 | 
kirkusreviews.com | James Dean |Craig Smith
A pairing of trains and animals that is sure to be a bedtime hit. Bedtime approaches for the animals at the zoo in Otto’s picture book. As the sun sets, a brown-skinned child with curly black hair, acting as the conductor of the titular Zoo-Choo train, ushers each of a zoo’s residents back into their homes. They begin with a single lion coming back to his den before moving on to a pair of giraffes sleeping neck-to-neck and a trio of hippos sinking into a pond.
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Feb 6, 2024 | 
kirkusreviews.com | Steve Henry |Laura Hughes |Craig Smith
A more-than-just-OK tale for new readers who appreciate lively friendship stories. Having good friends is always OK. Pete, a colorful parrot, lives alone on an island in the middle of the sea. Pete’s OK with this. A sign reading “Pete,” nailed to a palm tree, announces the parrot’s presence. One day, Turtle comes, asking to stay; Pete says OK, and the pair enjoy fishing together. Dog arrives next and wants to stay.
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Dec 6, 2023 | 
kirkusreviews.com | Aaron Becker |Craig Smith |Jennifer Ward |Steve Jenkins
Epic storytelling erupts on the page without the use of a single word. Superb. Caldecott Honoree Becker’s dystopian imaginings once more find fruit in picture-book format. The biblical Noah as a gargantuan robot? Stranger things have been conceived of.
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Aug 15, 2023 | 
kirkusreviews.com | Anna Wilson |Sarah Massini |James Dean |Craig Smith
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among Pete, the cat who couldn’t care less, celebrates Christmas with his inimitable lassitude. If it weren’t part of the title and repeated on every other page, readers unfamiliar with Pete’s shtick might have a hard time arriving at “groovy” to describe his Christmas celebration, as the expressionless cat displays not a hint of groove in Dean’s now-trademark illustrations.
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Jun 16, 2023 | 
kirkusreviews.com | Laura Hughes |Craig Smith
A pup takes pride in a flower until others show up with better ones. Decked out in a plaid bandanna, a spotted dog happily holds up a tiny potted daisy. “Would you like to see my beautiful little flower?” A Chihuahua yaps that it is lovely but then brings out a great big sunflower. The original pup droops. “That is…humungous.” Desperate for validation, the dog asks a passing hound, “Doesn’t it smell lovely?! Please tell me how lovely it smells!” The hound agrees but then brings out some lavender.
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May 11, 2023 | 
moraminn.com | Craig Smith
To the editor:The public hearing regarding Hornet Street is about an impassable road complaint. So far, the township has not had any fair coverage regarding the issue. The state courts have ruled the township has followed the laws. As of the county board meeting on April 18, other than one board member casually reaching out, the township supervisors have not been brought into the discussion with the County Board about what has occurred and if the road is impassable.
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May 9, 2023 | 
kirkusreviews.com | Helen Yoon |Craig Smith |Katz Cowley
by Helen Yoon ; illustrated by Helen Yoon ‧ A child has lost their invisible dinosaur! With impeccable comedic timing, a small Asian-presenting child with pale skin and straight black hair tied into spiky pigtails explains their predicament. Their dinosaur had been dirty, but after a bath, he disappeared.
