Review by Horn Book Review
Leo, a lion, gets up and heads across town toward his best friend's house, determined to surprise Kimbo, a butterfly, on his birthday. Leo encounters a series of hurdles. First an insect parade blocks the way, then the line at the bakery is so long that Leo can't get the hoped-for cream puffs. The lion decides to write a poem as his gift but can't find a closing rhyme, and even the penguins at Penguin and Sons rhyme store are unable to help. Eventually, Leo arrives at Kimbo's house to find that Kimbo is not home. A quick phone call resolves the dilemma, and the two meet midway between their houses for the birthday celebration and Kimbo's retelling of the details of his own crosstown trip. This is a quirky picture book that celebrates the humorous moments in ordinary life. The birthday celebration is never the point of the story; rather, each friend's journey takes center stage. The town is populated by a wide variety of humans and animals, all wearing colorful clothing. The city streets are as inviting as they are chaotic, and a close look at any scene will reward readers with joyful, often funny, always unusual details. Delightfully vibrant and child-friendly. Maeve Visser KnothJuly/August 2025 p.82 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
In this Polish import, Leo the lion visits Kimbo the butterfly, who's celebrating his birthday. Leo wakes up excited to see Kimbo, but the day proves challenging. The annual Bug Parade has caused a traffic jam, so Leo decides to walk. Stopping at the bakery for cream puffs, Leo gets stuck in line behind Ladybug and Beetle as they debate the merits of different desserts. Leo leaves without the cream puffs. What to get Kimbo instead? Leo will write a birthday poem! Attempting to find a rhyme fororanges, the lion gets stuck and must visit the penguins at the rhyme shop. When Leo finally makes it to Kimbo's house, Kimbo isn't there! Over a phone call, Kimbo tells Leo about all the adventures he's been having on his own quest to get to Leo's house, which involve a closed diner, a run-in with a robotic dog in need of a repair, and his own encounter with Ladybug and Beetle. Bright, engaging illustrations of animals going about their business around town bring to mind Richard Scarry's cozy yet busy metropolitan settings. But their charm wears thin as the story veers from one development to the next, turning what could have been a cute, intersecting romp into a clunky series of randomized tangents. The book ends with an invitation to search the pages for the various frog characters; hints are included. Colorful but scattered.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
