Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Children's and Teen: 6 - 8 years old


Cover art for HARRIET DANCING
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2008
by Ruth Symes, illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church

"Church's bold, brightly colored collage illustrations add some much-needed zest and dimension to an otherwise prosaic offering. (Picture book. 3-6)"
On her way to visit her friend Ivor, Harriet the Hedgehog encounters a group of lovely dancing butterflies. Read full book review >
Cover art for MYSTERY
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 29, 2003
by Arthur Geisert, illustrated by Arthur Geisert

"Clever and ingenious with a great title: wonderful entertainment. (Picture book. 5-9)"
Geisert hits a new stride in this inventive, engaging mystery as a young piglet girl goes with her grandpa to the art museum for copying day—when the museum is closed and artists can come and paint or draw the collection. Read full book review >
Cover art for TURN! TURN! TURN!
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2003
adapted by Pete Seeger, illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin

"Packaged with musical arrangement, and a CD with versions of the song by Seeger and the Byrds. (Picture book. 7-9)"
The title of Pete Seeger's best-known song is also the best way to view Halperin's art; for each line of lyrics, she offers a circular painting, composed in the round and containing dozens of microscopically precise vignettes exemplifying the given idea. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE TRAIN THEY CALL THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2003
by Steve Goodman, illustrated by Michael McCurdy

"An opening map marks the train's 17 stops between Chicago and New Orleans. (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-9)"
Goodman's Grammy-winning country-music song is resurrected with illustrations rendered in scratchboard and watercolor. Read full book review >
Cover art for OPERA CAT
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 21, 2002
by Tess Weaver, illustrated by Andrea Wesson

"Bravissima! (Picture book. 4-8)"
What's a diva to do? Read full book review >
Cover art for BRIANNA, JAMAICA, AND THE DANCE OF SPRING
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 25, 2002

"Jamaica's fans will enjoy reading about another aspect of her life just the same, and further adventures for Jamaica and Brianna seem likely in this popular ongoing series. (Picture book. 5-8)"
Havill and O'Brien team up for a sixth offering about Jamaica, the second in the series to include Jamaica's Asian-American friend, Brianna (Jamaica and Brianna, 1999, etc.). Read full book review >