by Amelie Fried & illustrated by Jacky Gleich ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2007
Along with tracking a small child’s responses to his beloved grandfather’s death, this import offers grown-ups some insight into what does, and does not, make sense about such losses to younger family members. His scarlet hair and jacket providing a visual focus in the scraped sepia illustrations, little Bruno is the picture of confusion. First, though he’s told that Grandpa has left, he is obviously right there, better dressed than usual but “only sleeping” in his coffin. Then Bruno is disturbed to see his dad crying at the graveside, especially since later on the adults sit around a table drinking beer and telling funny Grandpa stories. Getting different answers to his question, “Where is Grandpa now?” doesn’t help, nor does his mother’s attempt to explain about Grandpa’s soul. Over time, Bruno’s struggles to understand bring anger, tears and a worry that there might not be enough room in Heaven for his own soul. In time, however, he also “feels the hole in his heart slowly closing up,” and decides that if Grandpa’s happy, wherever he is, there’s no reason to be sad. With closure provided by the arrival of a newly born cousin, this treats Bruno’s feelings with respect while sensitively offering some direction for children in similar circumstances. (Picture book. 6-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-9787-5504-1
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Heryin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2007
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by David Shannon ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1999
The poster boy for relentless mischief-makers everywhere, first encountered in No, David! (1998), gives his weary mother a rest by going to school. Naturally, he’s tardy, and that’s but the first in a long string of offenses—“Sit down, David! Keep your hands to yourself! PAY ATTENTION!”—that culminates in an afterschool stint. Children will, of course, recognize every line of the text and every one of David’s moves, and although he doesn’t exhibit the larger- than-life quality that made him a tall-tale anti-hero in his first appearance, his round-headed, gap-toothed enthusiasm is still endearing. For all his disruptive behavior, he shows not a trace of malice, and it’ll be easy for readers to want to encourage his further exploits. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-590-48087-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1999
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by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 4, 2014
A lesson that never grows old, enacted with verve by two favorite friends
Gerald the elephant learns a truth familiar to every preschooler—heck, every human: “Waiting is not easy!”
When Piggie cartwheels up to Gerald announcing that she has a surprise for him, Gerald is less than pleased to learn that the “surprise is a surprise.” Gerald pumps Piggie for information (it’s big, it’s pretty, and they can share it), but Piggie holds fast on this basic principle: Gerald will have to wait. Gerald lets out an almighty “GROAN!” Variations on this basic exchange occur throughout the day; Gerald pleads, Piggie insists they must wait; Gerald groans. As the day turns to twilight (signaled by the backgrounds that darken from mauve to gray to charcoal), Gerald gets grumpy. “WE HAVE WASTED THE WHOLE DAY!…And for WHAT!?” Piggie then gestures up to the Milky Way, which an awed Gerald acknowledges “was worth the wait.” Willems relies even more than usual on the slightest of changes in posture, layout and typography, as two waiting figures can’t help but be pretty static. At one point, Piggie assumes the lotus position, infuriating Gerald. Most amusingly, Gerald’s elephantine groans assume weighty physicality in spread-filling speech bubbles that knock Piggie to the ground. And the spectacular, photo-collaged images of the Milky Way that dwarf the two friends makes it clear that it was indeed worth the wait.
A lesson that never grows old, enacted with verve by two favorite friends . (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4231-9957-1
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: Nov. 4, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2014
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