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ELBERT, THE CURIOUS CLOCK TOWER BEAR

Name: ELBERT, THE CURIOUS CLOCK TOWER BEAR
Author: Andrew Prahin
ISBN: 978-0-525-51398-8

by Andrew Prahin ; illustrated by Andrew Prahin ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2019

Readers probably won’t be curious enough to revisit this story after the first time.

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A mechanical bear’s curiosity doesn’t run like clockwork.

On a tower high above a town, Elbert is one of five bears that parade in and out of a clock on the stroke of every hour. His companions steadfastly carry out their marching duties; Elbert doesn’t, constantly distracted by myriad wonders. When his unquenchable curiosity disrupts routines badly, his fellows give him 24 hours to dispose of it or risk permanent banishment. On the ground, new experiences engender many new questions, but what to do with curiosity? Elbert tries various disappearing methods, but, frustratingly, nothing works…until, finally, something does—to his and the other bears’ benefit. This is an odd tale, with jarring elements. Curiosity isn’t portrayed altogether positively, and punitive aspects—threat of exile, Elbert’s self-reproach—may seem harsh or confusing. The story’s conclusion, however, reassures that curiosity is acceptable and rewarded with treats and a walkabout for all, suggesting Elbert’s clockwork partners will thereafter strut happily. The pencil and digitally colored illustrations serve the tale serviceably, with Elbert depicted as blue and inexpressive. (He is an automaton.) His smart, reflective questions appear in italics to differentiate them from the otherwise lackluster narrative. Frequent depictions of analog-clock faces throughout should pique the curiosity of readers/listeners who will ask what time the clocks show or proudly demonstrate their own prowess.

Readers probably won’t be curious enough to revisit this story after the first time. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: March 5, 2019

ISBN: 978-0-525-51398-8

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: Nov. 20, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2018

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

- BOOK REVIEW
SHIP IN A BOTTLE
by Andrew Prahin ; illustrated by Andrew Prahin

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BRIMSBY'S HATS
by Andrew Prahin ; illustrated by Andrew Prahin

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Awards & Accolades

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Our Verdict

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New York Times Bestseller

DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE SLEIGH!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 5, 2023

A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.

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Awards & Accolades

Likes

15

Our Verdict

GET IT

New York Times Bestseller

Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.

This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”

A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023

ISBN: 9781454952770

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PIGEON WON'T COUNT TO 10!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
WILL THE PIGEON GRADUATE?
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
ME AND OTHER BUNNIES
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

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ON THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN

by Tish Rabe ; illustrated by Laura Hughes ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 21, 2016

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of...

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Rabe follows a young girl through her first 12 days of kindergarten in this book based on the familiar Christmas carol.

The typical firsts of school are here: riding the bus, making friends, sliding on the playground slide, counting, sorting shapes, laughing at lunch, painting, singing, reading, running, jumping rope, and going on a field trip. While the days are given ordinal numbers, the song skips the cardinal numbers in the verses, and the rhythm is sometimes off: “On the second day of kindergarten / I thought it was so cool / making lots of friends / and riding the bus to my school!” The narrator is a white brunette who wears either a tunic or a dress each day, making her pretty easy to differentiate from her classmates, a nice mix in terms of race; two students even sport glasses. The children in the ink, paint, and collage digital spreads show a variety of emotions, but most are happy to be at school, and the surroundings will be familiar to those who have made an orientation visit to their own schools.

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of Kindergarten (2003), it basically gets the job done. (Picture book. 4-7)