Review by Horn Book Review
A sentient boo-boo named Bob -- a round, red character with spindly arms and legs, rosy cheeks, and emotive eyes -- is looking for a "warm and cozy place to settle down." After a couple of false starts, he encounters a crying boy who has fallen off his bike. "Do you have a boo-boo?" "No." "Can I be your boo-boo? Please? Pretty please?" "Um...okay." He jumps on the boy's knee and nestles in. After Mom cleans the area with a washcloth and adds a comfy bandage, Bob and his host are content. Inevitably, with such good care and the passage of time, the boo-boo starts to shrink. Having served his purpose, Bob takes off, with a hint of melancholy and the promise to return when needed. As we see in the final image, that will likely be sooner rather than later. The illustrations are cartoony yet understated, adding emotion and droll humor. The story's messages, both about fulfilling one's goals and about the no-big-deal-ness of small injuries, are delivered memorably -- and painlessly. Elissa GershowitzSeptember/October 2025 p.51 (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
"An adorable little boo-boo" seeks the right spot of skin for a temporary home in this tale originally published in Quebec and translated from French. Yes, Bob is cute; he's a wide-eyed, smiling red dot with skinny arms and legs. And on this windy, chilly day, he sets off, bindle over his shoulder, in search of a "warm and cozy place to settle down." The tongue-in-cheek text will evoke readers' empathy as Bob gets excited about a brown-skinned young skateboarder's "accident waiting to happen!" Giggles will ensue as two bigger, tough-looking boo-boos sneer at Bob, dissuading him from landing on the girl's knee when she crashes. After facing more rejections, Bob has the good fortune to meet a boy who's just fallen from his bike. The light-skinned, brown-haired boy welcomes Bob onto his knee, and the new friends head for the boy's home. After proper introductions, the boy's brown-skinned mother gently cleanses Bob and lets the boy choose a bandage. With each passing day, boy and boo-boo bond, even as new bandages reveal that Bob is shrinking. Minimalist, digitally rendered art that makes effective use of white space perfectly complements the quirky text, which will entertain older readers while helping little ones conquer fears of cuts and scratches--and even offers first-aid advice. Weirdly wonderful wound lore.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
