"A trendy experiment in narrative, clumsily done and unlikely to gain much traction except as a curiosity. (Picture book. 4-6)"
Pfister swaps out words for signs—mostly big dots with happy, sad, or mad faces—in this tale of a trickster raven's ups and downs.
Read full book review >
"Pfister has a following, so adults who recognize his name will likely be drawn to the (hologram-free) artwork. Others may want to choose from among the more classic animal ABCs. (Alphabet book. 4-6)"
Animal alphabet books abound, so it takes something special to make one stand out; this one doesn't have it.
Read full book review >
"Taxi-loving readers will be happy since the tiny, yellow car is the hero, but it is a title a little too easily won. (Picture book. 4-8)"
A taxicab on an everyday run suddenly finds himself in the middle of the rain forest, where it is up to him to save the ecosystem from destruction.
Read full book review >
"This nicely captures a puppy's (or a child's) distractibility, and the Christmas tie-in adds the moral that Pfister's books never lack. (Picture book. 4-8)"
Pfister gets into the head and heart of a puppy experiencing the wonders of his first snow, as well as the heartache of his first time being lost.
Read full book review >
"In a world that so often emphasizes answers and solid facts, it is refreshing to see a text that encourages questioning, whether realistic or imaginative flights of fancy. (Picture book. 3-7)"
In a departure from his usual sparkly fare, Pfister's latest is a sweetly simple look at some very deep questions, allowing children the opportunity to delve into some of life's mysteries.
Read full book review >
"Stick with Sesame Street's more lovable critters. (Pop-up picture book. 3-5)"
In a pop-up album that provides a strong argument for attaching parental-advisory labels, happy monsters rear up over a hill, spring from closet and cellar and burst out from under the bed to assure a pair of timorous, pajama-clad children that they're not really scary.
Read full book review >
"In addressing one of childhood's basic insecurities, Pfister has produced an engaging work which children and adults will raptly appreciate 'just the way it is.' (Picture book. 5-8)"
Perhaps the animals should have decided on a costume party instead of a "come-as-you-are" soiree.
Read full book review >
"It's almost painfully formulaic, but some children will never get enough of Rainbow Fish, who has now been promoted to ambassador of peace of the pelagic domain. (Picture book. 5-8)"
Pfister's winking do-gooder returns; Rainbow Fish and his pals find their krill-eating grounds mooched upon by a huge blue whale.
Read full book review >
"Pfister creates the animals in his trademark wet-on-wet technique, but when the facial expressions are crucial, he brings in details and puts the message in focus. (Picture book. 5-8)"
A king is deposed, a lesson is learned, and a message is delivered, all in the pages of a quick-moving, intriguing tale of the jungle.
Read full book review >
"Pfister's message—about making wise ecological choices—home. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Pfister (Hopper's Treetop Adventure, p. 226, etc.) begins this book with his trademark fly-in-the-ointment approach: A happy bunch of cherubic cliff mice inhabit an idyllic island, where all is wonderful until winter forces the mice into dank, dark caves.
Read full book review >
"This is best served to Pfister's many fans, who won't see the framed picture of Rainbow Fish on the wall as a not-so-subtle piece of cross-promotion. (Picture book. 3-7)"
"This simple book, short and sweet, will be a hit with preschool students of ethics as well as fans of the first glittering book. (Picture book. 4-8)"
A sequel to Rainbow Fish (1992), this morality tale begins when Rainbow Fish and his new friends, all ensconced in flashing scales, won't let a striped fish without a flashing scale play with them.
Read full book review >
Thank you! You’ll get the first email of recommendations from our critics within a week!
Bummer. There was a problem adding your email address. Please try again.
Subscribe to Pro Connect
Be the first to discover new talent!
Each week, our editors select the one author and one book they believe to be most worthy of your attention and highlight them in our Pro Connect email alert.
Sign up here to receive your FREE alerts.
