Unlikely to prod children out of their armchairs to undertake their own voyages of discovery, but the lighthearted...
A pop-up commemoration of five historic journeys for would-be travelers to attempt—both on the Earth and beyond it.
All are challenging but (at least theoretically) retraceable. Arranged in no particular order, spreads open on map after map. There’s the Toulouse-to-Santiago mail route that Antoine de St. Exupéry and other intrepid early French aviators flew for Aéropostale; the trans-Atlantic “Route du Rhum” for solo sailors; the Silk Road; America’s Route 66; and the Apollo moon voyages. Dramatic pop-ups range from a motorcycle with sidecar roaring out of a Southwestern sunset to a multilevel tableau of horseback merchants and explorers venturing east to west and meeting in the middle with a similar, camelback cavalcade going the other way. Each opening features mileage, a date or era, and brief background notes on the route’s significance and selected highlights. A stylishly mustached figure and an eager dog appear also somewhere in each scene—including the lunar landing—as stand-ins for viewers…or possibly the book’s creators.
Unlikely to prod children out of their armchairs to undertake their own voyages of discovery, but the lighthearted suggestion that it’s the journey, not the destination, that matters most won’t go amiss. (Informational pop-up. 8-10)Pub Date: Nov. 25, 2015
ISBN: 978-3-89955-759-6
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Little Gestalten
Review Posted Online: July 21, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Only for the strong-stomached.
Simon's dream to win a fortune in the school talent show with his two best pals, Munch and Ralph, is thwarted by the band trio’s lack of practice.
Simon likes to speak in big words (boldfaced and defined in a lengthy glossary in the end). Munch eats anything, even boogers and turds. Everything makes Ralph sick. These three jokes are repeated ad nauseam. But the exaggeration in this first novel by picture-book writer Kelley (Twelve Terrible Things, 2008) doesn’t end with these characterizations. Everyone is a stereotype: Simon’s hated big sister, their overweight and inattentive teacher, their ancient, muffin-flinging neighbor, Mrs. Annand, and their archenemies Mike, Evil Ernie and Eviler Ernie (who actually loves to knit). Chapter by chapter, Simon describes their failed attempts to practice for the Friday night show, Mrs. Annand’s bran-muffin attacks and finally, their lame performance, dancing to a toddler’s CD. Kelley’s graphite sketches accompany each chapter. Simon, with his glasses and V-neck sweater, is easily identifiable, as are other characters. Sharp-eyed readers will notice that Munch is not the only one who gets a haircut. The concluding glossary includes example sentences but no pronunciation guides, making it less-than-useful.
Only for the strong-stomached. (Fiction. 8-10)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2606-5
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: July 24, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2012
An unusually promising series opener for proto-Goosebumps fans.
A discarded notebook with information on disquieting creatures like the Rhinoceraptor and the Forkupine isn’t the only surprise waiting in Stermont for nerdy Alexander Bopp and his oblivious dad.
As if the small town’s name, three graveyards and abandoned glue factory aren’t eerie enough, Alexander is assaulted on his first day by several of the tall, fluttering “balloon guys” commonly used by stores as attention-getters. Moreover, his new class turns out to be temporarily relocated to the local hospital’s morgue, his new teacher loudly nicknames him “Salamander Snott,” and he becomes an instant target for aptly named classmate Rip Bonkowski. The next day, things get worse. Cranking up the horrorlarity with googly eyed cartoon figures and sight gags on nearly every page, Cummings pitches his nervous but resourceful newcomer into a climactic, all-out battle with an entire army of aggressive, air-stealing bendy balloons. Happily, with help from Rip and other unlikely allies, Alexander ultimately saves Stermont from a pandemic of permanently flattened tires, pool toys and whoopee cushions.
An unusually promising series opener for proto-Goosebumps fans. (Light horror. 8-10)Pub Date: July 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-545-493222-2
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Branches/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: April 9, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2013
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