In a kingdom where the palace looks like a sculpture of candy and pink ice cream, Princess Kimbo learns to value her little brother by saving him from a froglike troll. Kimbo, who has understood animals' language since swallowing a magic marble as a baby, isn't fond of Willy, who is mysteriously silent; still, when Grimpoke kidnaps him, she braves the wilderness and cleverly tricks tigers guarding the way, as well as Grimpoke himself. With the help of more magic, conveniently introduced as the story progresses, Willy begins to speak for the first time and the two make their way home. Aside from the sibling rapprochement, the story doesn't resonate with meaning, but it's well paced. Young readers should enjoy the fantasy—especially as visualized in Gazsi's imaginative art: the realistically portrayed children roam a fanciful landscape where cozily grotesque faces peer from every rock and tree. An old-fashioned Disney-style confection. (Young reader/Picture book. 6-9)
Pub Date: Oct. 30, 1993
ISBN: 0-06-020373-0
Page Count: 48
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1993
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
After Ms. D.'s class gets to participate in the big kids' science fair, the children develop just the exhibits that those familiar with the six earlier ``Adam Joshua'' books would expect- -Nelson hopes to prove that his fish has ESP; Sidney is growing cultures in his big brother's socks; and so on. Most of the episodic story is given to following the projects' progress, with added humor in the predictable interaction of familiar characters (Elliott steals Adam Joshua's idea of a solar system model, but AJ knows the subject better), fending off younger siblings (AJ's baby sister eats his planets), and the shenanigans of Ms. D`s boyish husband. With consistently perky dialogue, dozens of brief, funny incidents, and Gackenbach's appealing primary- graders sprinkled liberally throughout (plus the skeleton Mr. D. contributes adorning the jacket): an inviting entry in a popular series. (Fiction. 7-9)
Pub Date: Feb. 28, 1993
ISBN: 0-06-020779-5
Page Count: 74
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1993
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The children in Ms. D's third-grade class are thick into plans for their Christmas celebrations when a mysterious voice in their coatroom, which they believe to be that of the Christmas spirit, persuades them to rethink their greedy, grumpy ways. This latest in a popular series recounts the preparations for and enactment of a medieval feast to which the parents are invited. As readers may guess early on, the ghost turns out to be their young teacher's charmingly playful husband; meanwhile, the feast comes off with many a humorous hitch, including an escaped snake and an accidentally swallowed pet fish. Readers of the previous (and stronger) titles will have a better grip on these characters than those meeting them here for the first time; also, it's worth noting that every child in this apparently homogeneous class celebrates Christmas. Festive but slight. (Fiction. 6-9)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1991
ISBN: 0-06-022863-6
Page Count: 96
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1991
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
