Akimbo’s third adventure resembles his earlier experiences. A straightforward plot, spare storytelling and avuncular tone create a contemporary chapter book with an old-fashioned feel. Neither Akimbo’s homeland nor his age is revealed, giving the story either a universal appeal or an oddly unfinished aspect, depending on your point of view. Akimbo is, as always, brave and clever. Intrigued by a zoologist studying crocodiles, Akimbo accompanies him while he works. When a crocodile attacks the scientist, Akimbo must find help. His success is never in question, making for very little real suspense in his dangerous trip through crocodile-infested waters. The convenient coincidences of his having recently learned how to hotwire an ignition and the arrival of one of his father’s colleagues fit perfectly with the style of the series. Predictable but pleasant. (Fiction. 7-10)
Pub Date: April 1, 2006
ISBN: 1-58234-692-5
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2006
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A humorous story about an unusual pet. Rufus has but one wish—a dog. His stay-at-home Dad does not agree. His list of reasons not to get a dog extends over two pages. Rufus’s sympathetic mom brings home a guinea pig, which Rufus has expressly said he does not want. To his surprise, though, the guinea pig (which he sullenly names Fido) behaves like a dog! She obeys every command Rufus gives her, plays tug-o’-war and even chews shoes. His best friend wishes she were his when, during a Frisbee game, out of nowhere, she retrieves the disc and brings it to Rufus. The family decides to return Fido to the pet store, but a classmate is willing to buy her to replace her hamster—and it’s then that Rufus begins to have second thoughts. Jennings provides no explanation as to why Fido acts like a dog, asking readers to accept the absurdity along with Rufus. The school characters are fairly one dimensional, but the undeniably funny plot moves along, and readers into beginning chapter books should enjoy this wry story of wish fulfillment. (Animal fantasy. 7-9)
Pub Date: April 13, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-60684-053-5
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Egmont USA
Review Posted Online: Dec. 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2010
A crowd pleaser in an otherwise crowded oeuvre.
The ubiquitous rodent journalist returns in a new iteration.
Geronimo Stilton, publisher extraordinaire of the Rodent’s Gazette, has a new story to investigate: New Mouse City is plagued by a deeply malodorous stink. As the stench intensifies, the residents flee, selling their homes. Stilton, flanked by his banana-loving friend Hercule Poirat, forays into the sewers to locate the fount of the funk. There, the duo encounters rat queen Trashfur Sparkles XIII and her Grand Council. Trashfur, the mastermind behind the nefariously noxious plan, has set her sights on wedding Hercule and marrying Geronimo off to one of her council members; how will Geronimo escape this time? This new graphic-novel series published by Graphix/Scholastic (not to be confused with Papercutz’s ongoing Geronimo Stilton, Reporter graphic-novel series) and illustrated by Angleberger (of Origami Yoda fame) utilizes a decidedly more cartoonish style than the Papercutz version, more along the Dav Pilkey aesthetic. Funny and fast-paced, this offering is infused with a generous amount of over-the-top silliness, with occasional breaks to explain jokes to readers (explaining that gorgonzola is a type of cheese, for example). With easy-to-read and varied typefaces and oversized, full-color panels, this should effortlessly appeal to the younger set, making it an obvious choice for those deciding what to read next after Dog Man.
A crowd pleaser in an otherwise crowded oeuvre. (Graphic fantasy. 7-10)Pub Date: May 5, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-338-58730-2
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Graphix/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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