by Anna Fienberg & Barbara Fienberg & illustrated by Kim Gamble ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2006
First published in Australia, this import introduces Tashi and his family, who live in a vaguely Asian landscape, with elements of Near Eastern and Western naming and imagery. Tashi sports an upturned curlicue of a hairdo, gold earrings and Mongolian style boots. When the huge ogre Gloomin comes to town, he brings winter and darkness with him. Tashi consults with the fortune teller Luk Ahead (say it out loud) and the wizard Wise-as-an-Owl, only to find that the local wicked Baron has stolen what turns out to be Gloomin’s cat. Tashi and his cousin Lotus Blossom trick the Baron, restore the cat to Gloomin, who is utterly delighted with her and her new kittens and leaves town letting the sun shine in. The watercolor images are charmingly eclectic, although the story is only marginally engaging—too bad we can’t all have a Magic Warning Bell. There’s a whole series, though, so more is sure to come. (Picture book. 4-7)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2006
ISBN: 1-74114-198-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2006
Share your opinion of this book
More by Anna Fienberg
BOOK REVIEW
by Anna Fienberg ; adapted by Alison Kooistra ; illustrated by Rémy Simard
BOOK REVIEW
by Anna Fienberg & Barbara Fienberg & illustrated by Kim Gamble
BOOK REVIEW
by Anna Fienberg and illustrated by Kim Gamble
by Helen Ketteman ; illustrated by Nate Wragg ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 12, 2014
A good choice to share with wriggly listeners, who will soon be joining in.
A Halloween book that rides on the rhythms of “Over in the Meadow.”
Although Halloween rhyming counting books abound, this stands out, with a text that begs to be read aloud and cartoony digital illustrations that add goofy appeal. A girl and two boys set off on Halloween night to go trick-or-treating. As the children leave the cozy, warm glow of their street, readers see a haunted house on a hill, with gravestones dotting the front yard. Climbing the twisty path to the dark estate takes time, so the story turns to the antics inside the house. “At the old haunted house in a room with no sun / lived a warty green witch and her wee witch one. ‘SPELL!’ cried the witch. ‘POOF!’ cried the one. / And they both practiced spells in the room with no sun.” The actions of the scary creatures within may seem odd, but the rhyme must go on: Cats scratch, goblins dust, monsters stir, and mummies mix. Eventually the three kids reach the front door and are invited in for stew, cake and brew. At first shocked by the gruesome fare, the children recover quickly and get caught up in partying with the slightly spooky but friendly menagerie.
A good choice to share with wriggly listeners, who will soon be joining in. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 12, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4778-4769-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: July 15, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2014
Share your opinion of this book
More by Helen Ketteman
BOOK REVIEW
by Helen Ketteman ; illustrated by Bonnie Leick
BOOK REVIEW
by Helen Ketteman ; illustrated by Will Terry
BOOK REVIEW
by Helen Ketteman & illustrated by Will Terry
by Tony DiTerlizzi ; illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 18, 2018
A delightful if somewhat disjointed story of “Christmas magic” working its charms on a family.
Jack needs some magic to help make this year’s Christmas the best ever.
Shiny, red-foil borders and embossed lettering on the cover invite readers into a suburban household of the mid-20th century. On Christmas Eve, Jack is dissatisfied with the decorating job that he and his parents have done. He finds one last ornament, but his mother says in alarm, “Not that one!” Jack accidentally breaks it, leaving his mother in tears. A tiny fairy called Tinsel appears with tinkly bells to help Jack fulfill his wish. Saying, “let’s deck these halls!” Tinsel tosses glitter, and a large tree bursts through the floor. Caroling elves burst through the door, followed by reindeer, nutcrackers, and snowmen. Double-page–spread illustrations show the house filled with holiday fun. (Children will wonder why Jack’s parents don’t seem to notice it, though.) Jack can’t get enough of the magic, but remembering the broken ornament, he asks Tinsel for help. She can’t give him a new ornament but does offer him a glimpse of his mother’s past that helps Jack understand his mother’s heartbreak and see a way to make amends. Slightly overlong landscape design, old-fashioned furnishings, and endpapers filled with ornaments give this a feeling of personal reminiscence. Jack, his parents, Tinsel, and two of the elves present white, but the third elf has brown skin.
A delightful if somewhat disjointed story of “Christmas magic” working its charms on a family. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4169-3976-4
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 19, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
Share your opinion of this book
More by Angela DiTerlizzi
BOOK REVIEW
by Angela DiTerlizzi ; illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi
BOOK REVIEW
by Tony DiTerlizzi ; illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi
BOOK REVIEW
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
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.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.