Rad!

by Anne Bustard, Daniel Wiseman

Overview

In this family-oriented picture book, one brave cat discovers how rad trying new things can be!

Esther, Chester, Hester, and Sylvester are stoked to shred at the skate park! But unlike his daring brothers and sisters, Lester is a total fraidy-cat. Skateboarding doesn’t come easily to him—and with only nine lives to spare, why should he risk one on the half-pipe? When Lester sees how much fun his family is having, he decides to give it a shot anyway . . . only to wipe out! With the encouragement of his supportive siblings, Lester gets back up and tries again.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419741012
Publisher:	Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	05/05/2020
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.65(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Anne Bustard has an MFA in writing for children and young adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is the author of many books for young readers, including the award-winning Buddy: The Story of Buddy Holly. Find her online at annebustard.com. Daniel Wiseman is the illustrator of many picture books and board books, including When Your Lion Needs a Bath. He lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, with his family. Find him online at danieldraws.com and on Instagram at @d_wiseman.

Editorial Reviews

"Bright in mood, message, and hue, this is a winner." —Kirkus

From the Publisher

2020-01-12
With moral support and practice, anything is possible!

"Skate! says Esther. / Stoked? says Chester. / Totally! say Hester and Sylvester. / Never, says Lester." At the Beachside Skate Park, four cats are excited to use their skateboards, but one gray kitty is not. It seems Lester thinks skateboarding is "scary." The other kitties gently cajole Lester to give it a try and practice. They pop a helmet on their reluctant companion's head and say, "Please"—but when Lester says, "no" again, they roll into the park and have a "RAD!" time while Lester peers over the wall at them. When Lester concedes, "Maybe," the others enthusiastically respond with "awesome," "gnarly," and "cool!" Lester doesn't succeed the first time, but the four skateboarding veterans encourage the wobbly cat, and they all celebrate when Lester finally prevails. Everyone has a great time. Then Lester sees some surfers and suggests they try that tomorrow—but: "No, no, no, no way! say Esther, Chester, Hester, and Sylvester."Bustard's story is told entirely in her characters' one-word exclamations and dialogue tags, using type style rather than quotation marks to denote their speech. It's easy to follow, as Wiseman's cartoons supply an unmistakable visual narrative. Cartoon kitties of various colors in helmets and streetwear skate in a park decorated in bright graffiti. Young listeners will identify with Lester's fears and will soon be able to read the story on their own; as Chester says: "Righteous!"

Bright in mood, message, and hue, this is a winner. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews