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LATEST ISSUE OF
Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus talks to Chris Pavone about The Accident, his latest thriller in which ordinary lives are thrust into spectacular jeopardy.
Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit


Books by Claudio Muñoz

TÍA ISA WANTS A CAR by Meg Medina
FAMILY AND GROWING UP
Released: June 1, 2011
by Meg Medina, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz
"A pleasant tale of determination. (Picture book. 4-8)"
Tía Isa dreams of buying a big car, green like the ocean that surrounds the island that she, her brother Andrés and their niece left to move to the United States. Read full book review >
JAKE’S BEST THUMB by Ilene Cooper
FICTION
Released: July 1, 2008
by Ilene Cooper, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz
"A terrific twist that combines two well-worn plots in one successful tale. (Picture book. 4-8)"
Jake's left thumb is his best thumb, wrinkled from sucking, "a prince among thumbs," according to Jake's uncle. Read full book review >
AHWOOOOOOOO! by Yannick Murphy
ANIMALS
Released: June 12, 2006
by Yannick Murphy, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz
"It is a tender, sometimes humorous journey that evokes the yearning of childhood while setting forth the virtues of the multi-generational family. (Picture book. 4-6)"
"I want to howl," says Little Wolf. Read full book review >
JUST ANOTHER MORNING by Linda Ashman
FICTION
Released: May 1, 2004
by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz
"Even children well aware of the pleasures of Pretend will trail along admiringly in the wake of this very Young Indiana Jones. (Picture book. 5-7)"
Though he doesn't retreat so far into the Id as Max in his wolf suit, here's a lad who wakes surrounded by live zoo animals (plush, in the pictures), tiptoes past sleeping "giants" and rappels down a stepped "mountain" to get to the kitchen, confronts a voracious, sucking monster in the utility closet, then goes on to further adventures indoors and out before one of those "giants" snags him for a bath, a cuddle, and a nap. Read full book review >
LITTLE PIG FIGWORT CAN’T GET TO SLEEP by Henrietta Branford
ANIMALS
Released: March 18, 2002
by Henrietta Branford, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz
"Young readers will surely predict what's next: the last series of vignettes shows the once-perky porker as he finally settles down to sleep. (Picture book. 4-7)"
Struggling to sleep, the late Branford's (The Fated Sky, not reviewed, etc.) porcine star embarks on a series of adventures in this satisfying bedtime fantasy. Read full book review >
DREAM DANCER by Jill Newsome
FICTION
Released: March 1, 2002
Kirkus Star
by Jill Newsome, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz
"A polished pas de deux from a pair of pros. (Picture book. 4-8)"
In their second collaboration, husband-and-wife team Newsome and Muñoz (Shadow, 1999) effectively encapsulate the elusive essence of dance with the joyful story of a little girl named Lily and her tiny wooden dancing doll. Read full book review >
CAPTAIN AND MATEY SET SAIL by Daniel Laurence
ADVENTURE
Released: Aug. 1, 2001
by Daniel Laurence, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz
"And Muñoz's slaphappy, brisk illustrations are perfectly matched to the silly story and are invaluable aids in helping new readers get the gist of the words. (Easy reader. 4-8)"
A handful of cockamamie pirate tales that will have beginning readers chortling along as Captain and Matey squabble their way through silly adventures. Read full book review >
NOBODY LIKES ME! by Fay Weldon
BEDTIME BOOK
Released: Dec. 1, 1997
by Fay Weldon, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz
"The happy ending, with overdue warmth between mother and child, rings true, despite the confusing set up, and Mu§oz provides raucous illustrations of parties to which every child would want to be invited. (Picture book. 5-9)"
 In her first book for children, Weldon (Wicked Women, p. 417, etc.) tells the story of an angry young fellow: Rex tears up a party invitation, snarls at his mother, and splashes his sister before taking refuge under his bed. Read full book review >
COME BACK, GRANDMA by Sue Limb
FAMILY AND GROWING UP
Released: Jan. 3, 1994
by Sue Limb, illustrated by Claudio Muñoz
"A simply told story with unusual resonance. (Picture book. 4-8)"
 Bessie is well loved, but can't always find someone to play with; her parents are busy, and little Krishna next door isn't ``allowed out much.'' Still, Bessie has Grandma, who reads aloud, plays games (even hopscotch), and always has ``time for Bessie.'' When Grandma dies, Bessie tries to imagine heaven, where her mother says she is, and wonders if Grandma could have been reborn as an animal, as Krishna suggests; still, Bessie goes on missing her until, years later, Grandma is recalled in a very special way. Read full book review >