THERE WAS AN OLD MUMMY WHO SWALLOWED A SPIDER

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THERE WAS AN OLD MUMMY WHO SWALLOWED A SPIDER

Name: THERE WAS AN OLD MUMMY WHO SWALLOWED A SPIDER
Author: Jennifer Ward
ISBN: 978-1-4778-2637-9

by Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Steve Gray ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 21, 2015

For preschoolers who want a Halloween book that is more silly than scary.

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Ward and Gray exchange the little old lady for an old mummy, and the book gets pleasantly goofy from there.

Cartoon illustrations with Technicolor clarity follow a round-eyed mummy as he traipses from the cemetery to a haunted house. Along the way he swallows a spider, rat, crow, bone, brew, witch, and a ghost. Obviously the narrator doesn’t “know why he swallowed the spider,” but the rhyme always ends with an odd “Open wider!” Even though the transitions from item to consumed item seem a bit arbitrary, young readers will focus on the comic details and opportunity to chime in with the familiar song. Fortunately for sensitive children, all the live creatures that end up in the mummy’s tummy appear to be getting along well enough. Just remember: “There was an old mummy— / this story is true. / You’d better look out, / or he’ll swallow… // YOU, too! / BOO!”

For preschoolers who want a Halloween book that is more silly than scary. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: July 21, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-4778-2637-9

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Two Lions

Review Posted Online: July 14, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2015

Categories:

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by Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Alexander Vidal

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by Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Lisa Congdon

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HOW TO FIND A BIRD
by Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Diana Sudyka

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VALENTINE'S DAY, HERE I COME!

From the Here I Come! series

by D.J. Steinberg ; illustrated by Laurie Stansfield ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 27, 2022

Effectively captures the excitement surrounding Valentine’s Day.

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A collection of poems follows a group of elementary school students as they prepare for and celebrate Valentine’s Day.

One student starts the day by carefully choosing clothing in pink, purple, or red, while a family kicks off the morning with a breakfast of red, heart-shaped pancakes. At school, children create valentines until party time finally arrives with lots of yummy treats. The students give valentines to their school friends, of course, but we also see one child making a “special delivery” to a pet, a stuffed animal, family members, and even the crossing guard. The poems also extend the Valentine’s celebration to the community park, where other couples—some older, one that appears to be same-sex—are struck by cupid’s “magical love arrows.” Note the child running away: “Blech!” Not everyone wants to “end up in love!!!” But the spread devoted to Valentine’s jokes will please readers more interested in humor than in romance and inspire children to create their own jokes. To make the celebration complete, the last pages of the book contain stickers and a double-sided “BEE MINE!” valentine that readers can, with adult help, cut out. Cheery and kid-friendly, the poems can be read independently or from cover to cover as a full story. The cartoonish illustrations include lots of hearts and emphasize the growing Valentine’s Day excitement, depicting a diverse classroom that includes students who use wheelchairs. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Effectively captures the excitement surrounding Valentine’s Day. (Picture-book poetry. 4-6)

Pub Date: Dec. 27, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-593-38717-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap

Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
HOW TO BE CONFIDENT IN KINDERGARTEN
by D.J. Steinberg ; illustrated by Ruth Hammond

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SUMMER VACATION, HERE I COME!
by D.J. Steinberg ; illustrated by John Joven

- BOOK REVIEW
ST. PATRICK'S DAY, HERE I COME!
by D.J. Steinberg ; illustrated by Emanuel Wiemans

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OTTO THE ORNAMENT

by Troy Cummings ; illustrated by Troy Cummings ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 5, 2023

An Otto-rly successful modern Christmas story.

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A glitzy ornament searches for a tree worthy of him but finds his real place where he least expects it.

“Merry Christmas, bulbs and baubles! I’m Otto! I’m here to bedeck the heck out of your tree!” And “bedeck the heck” he tries! When Otto is told there’s space for him in the middle of the tree, he scoffs—only the top will do for an ornament like him. After he mocks his fellow ornaments, they refuse to make room for him, so he heads out to look for a new place to shine. He takes a scarring tumble down into the sewer, where he encounters an unlikely precious item. Returning with his find, Otto no longer sparkles but still manages to shine at home on the tree. This is a well-paced, appealing tale that will make for a great preschool read-aloud come December. Arrogant Otto has a satisfying redemptive arc that will resonate with readers. The dialogue and wordplay are pitch-perfect, bringing the characters to life. A mix of cartoonish vignettes and full-page spreads effectively depicts action and movement. Otto is multicolored and patterned with big eyes and a winning grin; the other ornaments on the tree also have personalities that match their styles. The few humans who appear are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An Otto-rly successful modern Christmas story. (Picture book. 4-6)