"A refreshingly unconventional mix of science and storytelling, of physical work and brain work. (Informational fiction. 7-10)"
In a companion to Wolf and Dog (2013), further quirky interchanges between two animal friends spark brief excursions into diverse topics from bones and dinosaurs to space travel and buried treasure.
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"A distinct change of pace from the general run of animal galleries, if better suited for chortling over than mining for school reports. (Picture book. 6-8)"
Whimsy rules this pairing of unusual animal facts and droll illustrations.
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"A quirky little tale with appeal to newly minted independent readers with sophisticated senses of humor. (Fiction. 7-10)"
Translated from Dutch, this brief import describes the sometimes-humorous interactions between Dog and his toothy cousin, Wolf.
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The Tolmans (The Tree House, 2010) take readers on another wordless adventure as their polar bear protagonist journeys to a place of wonderment and peace.
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"With elements of magical realism, this story offers a creative, challenging exploration of a Christmas journey. (Picture book. 4-6)"
An adventurous little girl and her younger brother act out the Nativity story with friendly animals in a snow-covered, mysterious land in this intriguing story originally published in Switzerland.
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A little rabbit's new macho image comes to a crashing halt when he encounters a feminine force. Everyone thinks Toby's a "very cute rabbit," but Toby hates being "cute" and opts for a tough new look. When Toby struts around wearing cool shades, his friends just laugh. But they stop laughing when Toby appears with a pierced ear, a tattoo on his arm and a growl. Encouraged, Toby completes his manly makeover, sporting a helmet and cape astride a loud motorbike. Barely able to maneuver a stop at the Zebra crossing, Toby's biker antics frighten Tara who tells him in no uncertain terms to "get lost, creep." Besotted with Tara who is also "very cute," Toby instantly trashes his biker paraphernalia to woo Tara with cuteness. The "cute" illustrations reinforce the "just be yourself" message by highlighting Toby's hilarious transformation from "cute" rabbit to demon biker. Indeed, from the end pages featuring cameos of Toby strutting his stuff to the domestic details of Toby's rabbit home, this one's just plain cute. (Picture book. 2-6)Read full book review >
In a tale that decidedly misses the mark, a child keeps trading toys and other items because she becomes bored with them—but at the same time shows a vivid streak of imagination. Dissatisfied with her sidewalk pictures, Sara "tricks" Tim into exchanging his marbles for her chalk by billing it as magic chalk that will make drawings come to life. As Tim happily disappears with the large dragon he creates, Sara discovers that the marbles won't roll straight, so she convinces Sam that they're real pearls and trades for a lollipop. Coveting Rob's yo-yo, she promises him that a lick of the lollipop will turn him into a scientific genius. And so on. Rich in fine detail, Tolman's pretty, delicately drawn illustrations show Sara racing away with each new possession as, behind her, its delighted former owner is immersed in a bright new playscape. Ultimately, that chalk comes around again, and Sara concludes that she can at least draw a hopscotch board and invite all of her friends to play. Readers will be unmoved by the weak ending, and even non-reflective ones will come away wondering why Sara doesn't just put herself into one of her own enticing scenarios. (Picture book. 6-8)Read full book review >
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