Steve Jenkins

Mar 26, 2024 | kirkusreviews.com | Ryan Higgins |Craig Smith |Jennifer Ward |Steve Jenkins

Penelope’s parents give her an overzealous pet that just might be too much to handle. What is an appropriate pet for a young T. rex? A saber-toothed cat, of course. Penelope doesn’t even want a pet. But she’s willing to give Mittens a try. Mittens, however, is a bit energetic and very large. He takes up the entire bed and bowls Penelope over with excited leaps every time she walks through the door. Plus, he eats everything he’s not supposed to (even possibly the neighbor, Mrs.

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.

Sep 12, 2023 | kirkusreviews.com | Jennifer Ward |Meg Medina |Àngela Domínguez |Steve Jenkins

A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers. Echoing the meter of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Ward uses catchy original rhymes to describe the variety of nests birds create. Each sweet stanza is complemented by a factual, engaging description of the nesting habits of each bird. Some of the notes are intriguing, such as the fact that the hummingbird uses flexible spider web to construct its cup-shaped nest so the nest will stretch as the chicks grow.

Aug 1, 2023 | kirkusreviews.com | Jennifer Ward |Elaine Chen |Steve Jenkins

by Supriya Kelkar ; illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat ‧ Winning illustrations level up an uneven story. An Indian American boy’s excitement for his first day of school is tempered when his classmates can’t pronounce his name. Their “wrinkled foreheads” and the giggles that follow make the young boy shrink into himself.

Jun 8, 2023 | kirkusreviews.com | Camille Garoche |Jennifer Ward |Steve Jenkins

A young South Asian boy learns the joy of taking his time. Aarav loves his grandfather, whom he calls Thatha, even though the two approach life at two different tempos: While Thatha “shuffled,” “sauntered,” and “strolled,” Aarav “ran,” “rushed,” and “raced.” Thatha urges Aarav to slow down, but Aarav constantly asks Thatha to speed up—especially at 5 o’clock, when Aarav helps Thatha makes his daily masala chai.