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FLAPPY WAGGY WIGGLY

Name: FLAPPY WAGGY WIGGLY
Author: Amanda Leslie
ISBN: 0-525-46182-5

A PEEKABOO RIDDLE BOOK

by Amanda Leslie ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1999

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Pint-sized sleuths use written and visual clues to discover the identities of their quarry in this diverting and ingenious approach to the standard lift-the-flap format. Each spread features a riddle, written in multicolored block letters, superimposed over the image of the animal in question, revealing only a tantalizing glimpse of the creature’s front and hind quarters. Additional clues are provided by the particular sound associated with the animal—perhaps a quack, an oink, or a hiss. A turn of the half page in the center of the spread reveals the full animal and its name overhead. Leslie’s riddles offer concrete clues while remaining silly enough to tickle preschoolers’ fancies: “Who has a snuffly pink snout and a curly whirly tail?” Vivid backgrounds, generous use of colors, and amiable creatures contribute to this gleeful tour of the animal kingdom. (Picture book. 2-5)

Pub Date: May 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-525-46182-5

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

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CIRCLE SONG

by Diana Engel ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1999

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A brief, rhythmic text combines lullaby with concept book. An African-American baby and parent are shown in the illustrations. “Wrap your arms around me, make a circle, hold me tight. I’ll take you spinning through the air, as daylight turns to night.” The cuddled child is in pajamas, the moon is “like a night-light hanging high,” while the stars and child’s face and features are more examples of the lovingly conveyed main theme. The illustrations, portholes in the center of increasingly darker borders as night descends, show the parent and child with round objects—a goldfish bowl, a round mirror, etc. Engel (The Shelf- Paper Jungle, 1994, etc.) uses watercolors to portray whimsical moonscapes and a starry sky in pleasing and memorable ways. (Picture book. 3-5)

Pub Date: March 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-7614-5040-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Marshall Cavendish

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE SHELF-PAPER JUNGLE
by Diana Engel & illustrated by Diana Engel

- BOOK REVIEW
ELEANOR, ARTHUR, AND CLAIRE
by Diana Engel & illustrated by Diana Engel

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HERE COMES SPRING

AND SUMMER AND FALL AND WINTER

by Mary Murphy ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1999

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Readers journey through the seasons with puppies whose behavior resembles that of preschoolers. They dodge falling apple blossoms in spring, have a picnic with friends in summer, pick apples and jump in piles of leaves in fall, and have a snowball fight in winter. Murphy (Caterpillar’s Wish, p. 454, etc.) captures the joy and surprises inherent in the arrival of the seasons, making this book a real heartwarmer. The bright coloring of her illustrations engages readers, as the puppies find a new adventure around every corner; the text is a terrific one to read a loud, subtly conveying with humor some time-honored lessons on ecology, sharing, and cooperation. (Picture book. 3-5)