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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 A STICK IS AN EXCELLENT THING
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 27, 2012
Kirkus Star A STICK IS AN EXCELLENT THING: POEMS CELEBRATING OUTDOOR PLAY
by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
"A thrilling integration of verse and image, motivating all to serious fun. (Picture book/poetry. 3-8)"
Turning the adage that sticks and stones may break one's bones on its ear, picture-book titans Singer and Pham team up to entice young readers to go where most Generation Xbox angels fear to tread: outside. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE PRESIDENT'S STUCK IN THE BATHTUB
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 6, 2012
THE PRESIDENT'S STUCK IN THE BATHTUB: POEMS ABOUT U.S. PRESIDENTS
by Susan Katz, illustrated by Robert Neubecker
"In the end, however, they all testify to something important: Presidents are only men (so far, anyway) and capable of every mortal weakness and weirdness. (Picture book/poetry. 6-9)"
This gathering of presidential foibles and fancies covers the gamut, from George W. the First to Barack. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE CAT AND THE FIDDLE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Dec. 1, 2011
Kirkus Star THE CAT AND THE FIDDLE: A TREASURY OF NURSERY RHYMES
illustrated by Jackie Morris
"A beguiling and surprising addition to the nursery-rhyme shelf. (Picture book/nursery rhymes. 3-7)"
Forty familiar and not-so-familiar nursery rhymes are illustrated with gorgeous and evocative images. Read full book review >
Cover art for POEMS I WROTE WHEN NO ONE WAS LOOKING
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 25, 2011
POEMS I WROTE WHEN NO ONE WAS LOOKING
by Alan Katz, illustrated by Edward Koren
"As clever and funny as the poetry of Jack Prelutsky in his prime and less edgy than Shel Silverstein's, this deserves and should have no trouble drawing chuckles and belly laughs from a wide audience, even outside the confines of National Poetry Month. (Poetry. 7-11) "
Katz and Koren follow up Oops! (2008) with another set of 100 or so rhymed (usually) knee-slappers paired to scribbly ink drawings. Read full book review >
Cover art for NURSERY RHYME COMICS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 11, 2011
Kirkus Star NURSERY RHYME COMICS: 50 TIMELESS RHYMES BY 50 CELEBRATED CARTOONISTS
edited by Chris Duffy
"As much as the visual styles may vary, the high levels of wit and invention never falter. (Graphic nursery rhymes. 5 & up)"
No fewer than 50 cartoonists and comic-book artists provide distinctive visual riffs on as many nursery rhymes in this memorable showcase. Read full book review >
Cover art for SWIRL BY SWIRL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 3, 2011
Kirkus Star SWIRL BY SWIRL: SPIRALS IN NATURE
by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes
"Exquisitely simple and memorable. (Informational picture book. 2-8)"
"A spiral is a snuggling shape" is the somewhat homely observation that begins Sidman's brief and graceful poem--she goes on to catalog and celebrate the ways that spirals manifest themselves in the physical and natural world in a way that will draw in the youngest listeners. Read full book review >