In their second collaborative parody, Walton and Hale join forces under the pen name of "Ludworst Bemonster" to create a comic tale combining elements of the Frankenstein story, "The Night Before Christmas" and the classic Madeline.Read full book review >
"Prime real estate in iPad-app world: a simple story that's well-told, cleverly illustrated and efficiently supported by a little nugget of real discovery at the end. (Requires iOS 6 and above.) (iPad storybook app. 4-8)"
Gary the gopher thinks his parents' hole is too crowded, so when they give him permission to dig an underground home of his own, terra firma presents no limits.
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"Whether young readers recognize the relationship to the Parisian version or not, adults will appreciate the clever yet silly send-up. Most children, however, will see this as just another funny monster book. (Picture book. 4-7)"
Just in time for Halloween, Walton and Hale (Twelve Bots of Christmas, 2010) combine their talents to become "Ludworst Bemonster," author of a droll parody of Ludwig Bemelmans' Madeline.
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"Even though sweet books on new babyhood abound, this stands out as a fresh addition. (Picture book. 0-4)"
Would this book be best as a gift for new parents, a title to prepare an older sibling-to-be or an interactive offering to share with a group of antsy toddlers or preschoolers?
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"The tale's repetition and the toothy monsters will tickle and titillate storytime crowds any time of year and will certainly find a place on the bibliotherapy shelf. (Picture book. 3-8)"
"Bettoli fills her cheerful gouache and acrylic illustrations with interesting details, including the antics of a cat and a mouse, animals in the borders, and calendar pages for the days leading to the holiday, making this a perfect little-bit-but-not-too-scary Halloween treat. (Picture book. 3-8)"
Mrs. McMurphy, who lives by herself "on a farm at the edge of the woods," finds her routine interrupted four days before Halloween by "a large pumpkin with a wicked, wicked grin sitting in the hall by her front door."
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"The triple threat combination of bunnies, methods of transportation, and the guessing game format will make this a popular pick for lap or group story times. (Picture book. 2-5)"
Walton and Miglio (Bunny Day, 2002, etc.) are back with even more bunnies.
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"Indubitably—though cat lovers and the unnecessarily fastidious may prefer the eponymous feline of Liz Graham-Yooll's Timothy Tib (not reviewed). (Picture book. 5-7)"
With waggy enthusiasm, one detail at a time, a lad presents his "big, red, happy, muddy, smart, bouncy, slobbery, sneaky, stinky" canine companion.
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"Preschool and primary-grade teachers will find this book useful for creative movement (P.E. teachers deserve books, too), and children's librarians will find it just the ticket to get out those wiggles during storytime. (Picture book. 4-8)"
You don't need to be enrolled in ballet or tap classes to dance; with Walton's (That's My Dog, see below, etc.) encouraging book, anyone can dance like a fox or a cloud or the king of the kangaroos.
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"Young readers will enthusiastically agree. (Picture book. 5-7)"
Brains overcome brawn once again in this laugh-out-loud encounter between a huge, leering burglar and a minuscule canine guardian.
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Walton (Bullfrog Pops!, 1999, etc.) works a series of rhymed changes on the idea that animal sounds are a kind of shorthand: "Little cows say, / 'Moo-oon!
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"The images combined with the squiggly, hard-to-decipher typeface will make this hard on newer readers, but they might appreciate the language: 'Stop eatin' my apples, you canyon-mouthed fruit catcher!' (Picture book. 6-9)"
Some amusing plays on words, and a keen device for keeping little hands turning pages doesn't quite succeed in this picture book from Walton (So Many Bunnies, 1998, etc.).
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"A twist ending provides a final, compensating laugh: As the mother settles into her comfortable feather bed, all 26 bunnies abandon their makeshift arrangements and pile in with her. (Picture book. 2-4)"
"Old Mother Rabbit lived in a shoe./She had twenty-six children and knew what to do."
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"The final, joyful verse celebrates the end of the storm, but readers will believe that everyone had a good time waiting it out. (Picture book. 3-5)"
Walton (How Many, How Many, How Many, 1993, not reviewed, etc.) puts a new twist on a familiar biblical tale that evokes all the spirit of a barnyard hoedown.
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