HICKORY DICKORY DOCK

Name: HICKORY DICKORY DOCK
Author: Mindshapes

illustrated by Mindshapes ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 15, 2011

It's mediocre in parts, chuckle-worthy in other sections and ultimately skippable. One must remember it's based on the...

bookshelf

More of a collection of small diversions featuring a goofy purple mouse than any kind of cohesive story, this hyperactive take on the nursery rhyme isn't without charm.

The app takes a literal approach, taking place entirely within a clock that has been outfitted with all kinds of peculiar gadgets and games. By tapping one of the clock numbers, from one to 12, and then tapping "Go!" readers can make animated dust bunnies, earbuds that expel bubbles or a slot machine that produces cupcakes appear. A short burst of music gussies up the original rhyme. "The clock struck eight / He filled his plate!" or "The clock struck nine / The bells all chimed." The activities themselves are short, one-dimensional and far less imaginative than what any kid would find in stand-alone games like "Angry Birds," but the computer animation is nicely detailed, the music is catchy and the pudgy mouse itself is funny when dancing or chomping down on giant pieces of watermelon. Not all the mini-games, unfortunately, are great, and the app itself is confusing to navigate at first, even with blinking directions.

It's mediocre in parts, chuckle-worthy in other sections and ultimately skippable. One must remember it's based on the flimsiest of five-line nursery rhymes; it's remarkable how much work went into trying to flesh out the idea. (iPad nursery-rhyme app. 3-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2011

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Mindshapes

Review Posted Online: Nov. 1, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2011

- BOOK REVIEW
THE TALE OF LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
adapted by Janey Louise Jones & illustrated by Miklos Weigert & developed by Mindshapes

- BOOK REVIEW
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
developed by Mindshapes

DR. SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH LOST CHRISTMAS!

bookshelf

DR. SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH LOST CHRISTMAS!

by Alastair Heim ; illustrated by Aristides Ruiz ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 5, 2023

It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how many mediocre sequels you can squeeze out of Seussian property.

bookshelf

Since a reformed Grinch is hardly any fun, this follow-up Grinches him up once more.

Those seeking more of the same, prepare to receive precisely that. Christmas is coming (again!), and the Grinch can hardly wait. He’s been patient all year, and now he can finally show the Whos down in Who-ville how much he’s changed. When the Grinch learns of a tree-decorating contest, he figures that if he wins, it’ll prove he truly has the Christmas spirit. He throws himself into the task, but when it comes time to judge the trees, the Grinch is horrified to discover that he’s received only the second-place trophy. Can Cindy-Lou Who find the words to save the day? Replicating many of the original beats and wordplay of the original, this tale feels like less a sequel and more like a vaguely rewritten variation. Meanwhile, Ruiz’s art seeks to bridge the gap between the animated Chuck Jones version of the Grinch and the one depicted in the original book. This thankless task results in a strange uncanny valley between Seuss and Jones but does allow the artist a chance to colorize everything and lend some racial diversity to the Who population (Cindy-Lou is light-skinned). (This book was reviewed digitally.)

It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how many mediocre sequels you can squeeze out of Seussian property. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023

ISBN: 9780593563168

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: Aug. 15, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
EVERYTHING IS GRAPE!
by Alastair Heim ; illustrated by Michelle Tran

- BOOK REVIEW
NO PEEKING AT PRESENTS
by Alastair Heim ; illustrated by Sara Not

- BOOK REVIEW
QUIET DOWN, LOUD TOWN!
by Alastair Heim ; illustrated by Matt Hunt

bookshelf

PEANUT BUTTER & CUPCAKE

by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 29, 2014

Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school...

bookshelf

The familiar theme of the challenges facing a new kid in town is given an original treatment by photographer Border in this book of photos of three-dimensional objects in a simple modeled landscape.

Peanut Butter is represented by a slice of white bread spread with the popular condiment. The other characters in the story—a hamburger with a pair of hot dogs in tow, a bowl of alphabet soup, a meatball jumping a rope of spaghetti, a carton of French fries and a pink cupcake—are represented by skillfully crafted models of these foods, anthropomorphized using simple wire construction. Rejected by each character in turn in his search for playmates, Peanut Butter discovers in the end that Jelly is his true match (not Cupcake, as the title suggests), perhaps because she is the only one who looks like him, being a slice of white bread spread with jelly. The friendly foods end up happily playing soccer together. Some parents may have trouble with the unabashedly happy depiction of carbs and American junk food (no carrots or celery sticks in this landscape), and others may find themselves troubled by the implication that friendship across difference is impossible.

Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school experiences. (Picture book. 3-6)