Review by Booklist Review
A picturesque medieval scene greets readers of this picture book: a turreted castle, an expansive lake, a pangolin in squire's garb joyfully perched upon a royal swing. It's too good to last. With a turn of the page, the swing's ropes snap, dumping Pangolin into a panicked heap. "'Heavens! What have I done? And what will I tell the queen?'" Off he runs to ask his friends for advice, all of whom spin inventive lies for Pangolin to tell and so avoid being blamed. A royal musician took the swing's ropes to string his lute! A large bird mistook the ropes for worms! More outlandish scenarios follow, all of which become jumbled in Pangolin's nervous mind. When he finally approaches the queen, Pangolin confesses and apologizes--and is met with understanding and forgiveness. Escobar's endearing portrayal of the castle's grounds and royal subjects bustle with whimsical details that will capture young readers' hearts. Pangolin's sincere distress and remorse make him a sympathetic hero and ensure that the story's lesson in truth is easily discernible without being didactic.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The queen's painted swing hangs suspended from a tree branch on beautiful red cords, topped with a soft cushion. Pangolin can't resist a swing in the summer sun, but a moment later, the cords break, and he faces the problem of how to communicate the damage. He hastens to a friend for advice: "Oh, faithful Badger... I've broken the queen's swing, and I don't know what to tell her." Escobar (Beauty Woke) creates a royal castle and grounds populated entirely by animals: Badger is a groom, Goose is a knight, Fox is a guard. As Pangolin questions palace denizens ever more nervously, each suggests an improbable fib ("Perhaps you could say that a giant bird mistook the rope for worms"). But when the dreaded interview takes place, Pangolin does something unexpected--and so does the queen. Banners, striped tents, and medieval flourishes abound in elaborate digital spreads worked in jewel tones, while fantasies depicting the friends' advice are pictured in striking single-color retro art. Beatty (the Heartseeker duology) uses repetition and humor to compose a story about truth-telling whose humor and fantasy imbue it with emotion. Ages 4--8. Author's agent: Jennifer Linnan, Linnan Literary. Illustrator's agent: Amy Kitcherside, Pickled Ink. (Oct.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A pangolin must decide whether or not to lie to the Queen. With a great big smile on his face, Pangolin is swinging in the sunshine on the palace grounds. But suddenly, to his horror, the swing breaks. "Heavens! What have I done? And what will I tell the Queen?" Pangolin consults his friends for advice. Badger suggests saying that a royal musician needed the strings for a lute. Goose has an even stranger idea: "Perhaps you can say that a giant bird mistook the ropes for worms." And Pug? Well, Pug suggests blaming aliens. Fox and Cat also contribute possibilities. Stammering and quaking, Pangolin must make a decision. What will he tell the Queen? Lush, jewel-toned illustrations thrum with warmth; outside the palace, the rolling landscape is filled with endless flowers and swooping trees. Inside, ornate windows and scalloped archways present a truly royal atmosphere. Beatty expertly taps into a childlike perspective; she's keenly aware that to avoid trouble, youngsters often spin fantastical explanations and that the push and pull of truth-telling can result in an agonizing internal debate. Luckily, all ends well when Pangolin finally decides to own up to the Queen--and the conclusion will point readers in the right direction when facing similar conundrums. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A noble look at the courage needed for honesty. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
