Starred Review ALA Booklist (Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2017)

Starred Review Joining the plethora of gender-norm-­defying picture books comes this refreshingly bold story that makes its message clear without being pedantic. On the cover, Teddy, a young boy, holds a pink doll aloft like a trophy. Teddy has a round, brown, smiling face, reminiscent of Charlie Brown, and a whole lot of very cool toys. Readers see him playing with his Hula-Hoop, truck, jigsaw puzzle, and building blocks. But his absolute favorite toy is Bren-Da Warrior Queen of Pacifica, a doll with the best manners, fighting skills, and fashion sense. The energetic plot rests on something that goes wrong ink Knuffle Bunny (2004), by Mo Willems d then is satisfactorily resolved when Mom busts out some pretty sweet moves. What makes this book so appealing is the back-and-forth dynamic between the text and images. In several instances, the text remains very general and readers are called to fill in the story by examining the illustrations. Simple, sophisticated language ("He sought out his mom and detailed the situation") suggests a respectful alliance between mother and son, and is perfectly complemented by charming gouache-and-pencil illustrations that capture the characters' emotions as the story unfolds. Slightly older readers can unpack other layers about social norms and diversity, but all will appreciate this dynamic book's adventurous yet relatable style.

Horn Book

Teddy loves his redheaded doll in a pink dress with the "sickest fighting skills." One morning, his mother accidentally throws the doll away and must perform some sick moves of her own to catch up with the garbage truck. The story's implicit messages--presenting gender nonconformity as perfectly normal; that parents can become superheroic for their children--ring loud, true, and (particularly in the mixed-media illustrations) funny.

Kirkus Reviews

Knuffle Bunny is reimagined with dialogue and a dash of suspense.Teddy, a brown-skinned boy, has many toys ranging from firetrucks to jigsaw puzzles, but Bren-Da, Warrior Queen of Pacifica, is his absolute favorite. But after excessive use, Bren-Da's leg snaps one morning. Teddy does not have the time to fix her, so he leaves her in his room and goes to school. When he comes back, Bren-da has disappeared! (Readers will have seen that his mom, who appears to be white, mistook the heavily bandaged Bren-Da for trash.) Teddy can't find her anywhere, so he immediately seeks his (horrified) mom's help. Now it's up to Teddy and his mom to find Bren-Da. Trimmer's simple story of a universal experience will captivate young readers and have them rooting for Teddy's reunion with Bren-Da. Teddy's problem-solving abilities also serve as a useful model. Valentine's illustrations bring the story to life with creative depictions of orange-haired, pink-skinned Bren-Da's style and humorous portrayals of Teddy's and his mother's actions. The long list of Teddy's toys in the beginning of the story may be a little disconcerting for children who don't have as many. On the positive side, the story gently pushes gender norms by showing a doll as Teddy's favorite toy and Teddy's mom as nothing short of a superheroine as she tries to get Bren-Da back.A heartwarming story that uses an everyday occurrence to push the envelope on many fronts. (Picture book. 4-8)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Teddy-s favorite toy is Bren-Da, Warrior Queen of Pacifica. She-s a pink-skinned Barbie-style doll, and Teddy-s play with her ranges from action-hero combat sequences (-She has the sickest fighting skills-) to extravagant fashion looks worthy of Project Runway or RuPaul-s Drag Race. (Teddy-s couture creations drape Bren-Da in mismatched socks, a bath pouf, and pretzels in a plastic baggie.) After Bren-Da-s leg falls off, Teddy-s mother mistakenly throws her away-and readers see the garbage truck take off with the trash. Teddy-s mother takes his anguish seriously. Valentine-s gouache and pencil drawings blend action and comedy as Teddy-s mother chases the truck with daring moves worthy of Bren-Da herself. -Yas, queen!- Teddy shouts in exultation. Trimmer-s smart, closely observed portrait celebrates a boy and a mother whose relationship grows out of mutual respect. Although it-s left unsaid, Teddy-s play resists gender stereotyping in that he-s allowed the freedom to play with whatever toys he likes in whatever way strikes his fancy-and the result is an imaginative free-for-all. Ages 4-8. Author-s agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Illustrator-s agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Feb.)

School Library Journal (Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

POPPreS-Gr 1 Inspired by a favorite childhood toy, this book tells the typical story of a lost and found plaything. What makes this particular version of an age-old tale stand out it that Teddy's favorite toy is a pink Barbieesque doll whom he has named "Bren-Da, Warrior Queen of Pacifica." Not only is she Teddy's coolest toy, but she also has the best manners, the sickest fighting moves, and the ability to pull off a number of stylish looks. When Bren-Da is accidentally broken and then thrown away by the boy's mother, Teddy is heartbroken. Then, as his mother swings into action to retrieve the doll, astute readers will notice that she is really the inspiration for Bren-Da's fabulousness. VERDICT With a triumphant text declaring "Yas, queen," this is a very modern take on the lost and retrieved favorite toy. Recommended as a general purchase for children's collections. Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh