The bike ride

Daily summer bike rides near a seasonal beach house provide young Dave and his father a chance to connect with each other as well as a beloved outdoor location in this uneven eco-interested work from Reading Rainbow producer Goose. Opening spreads see the human pair, portrayed with pale skin, gleefully wheeling through electric-colored landscapes under the gazes of doe-eyed wildlife, including a handful of crown- and hat-wearing blue jays and a goose that bears resemblance to the book's author. But when they arrive at their most cherished spot, they hear not "the familiar rumblings of the ocean" but a "big yellow bulldozer digging up trees, moving dirt around, and changing their favorite place." After the two return to the city, Dave's worries about the construction's impact stay with him all year--until a return sees him befriending the occupants of the new structure and helping to plant trees to "take care of their favorite place." Smudgy, photo-realistic elements give a liquid, video game--like quality to this personal-feeling work relayed in lengthy text. Secondary characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 3--7. (June)

Dave is bummed when his favorite oceanside getaway is bulldozed. While riding their bikes, seasonal coastal residents Dave and Dad see "their favorite place in the world," a quiet, tree-lined cove, being cleared for new construction. What's going to happen to the trees? And what about the squirrels and birds? Returning after a winter away, Dave and his father find a tidy new single-family home. The birds and squirrels have taken up residence in the yard, and a young girl named Annie, who's moved in with her dad, is planting a new tree "so more birds and animals will move into our neighborhood." Later, Dave builds a bird feeder for Annie's yard, and the book ends on an upbeat note, with the kids resolving to plant more trees. Though the story introduces relevant and timely themes, it may leave kids with the erroneous impression that environmental loss is easily rectified; adults may want to offer more context. The clunky text does more telling than showing, while the hyper-realistic digitally rendered artwork occasionally veers into the uncanny-valley effect, leavened by a few touches of pure fantasy, such as the spectacles and bow tie sported by an omnipresent goose (presumably a metafictive reference to the nonexistent author-illustrator, in fact a trio operating under the collective pseudonym). Dave and Dad present white; Annie and her father have olive skin and dark-brown hair. A superficial exploration of habitat destruction. (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.