This successor in format to The Random House Book of Poetry equals that title in its capacity as a basic work for any child's book collection and surpasses it as a worthy example of its illustrator's work. No corners are cut here, either in text or illustration (although the quality of paper and reproduction could be better). Most familiar Mother Goose rhymes are found in their entirety, as well as many that may be new to the reader. All are illustrated, in a cornucopia of drawings which demonstrates the range of Lobel's technique and imagination Some rhymes have each verse illustrated in a tiny but detailed sketch; others have an entire, two-page spread devoted to one short lyric (as in "Wee Willie Winkie"). Some pages show an ingenious combining of the themes of several verses to create one illustration: "Bye, baby bunting," "The north wind doth blow," and "Baa, baa, black sheep" together create a pleasant, winter pastoral scene, for example. Most illustrations are rollickingly entertaining, but a few, such as "Misty, moisty morning;" are thoughtful or even, as "Diddle, diddle dumpling," extend the idea in a new, more poignant direction. This book's beauty and wit will extend its use far beyond the nursery, both as a treasury of verse and a treasure chest of Lobel's art.
Pub Date: Oct. 20, 1986
ISBN: 0517078864
Page Count: -
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 1, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1986
Broccoli: No way is James going to eat broccoli. “It’s disgusting,” says James. Well then, James, says his father, let’s consider the alternatives: some wormy dirt, perhaps, some stinky socks, some pre-chewed gum? James reconsiders the broccoli, but—milk? “Blech,” says James. Right, says his father, who needs strong bones? You’ll be great at hide-and-seek, though not so great at baseball and kickball and even tickling the dog’s belly. James takes a mouthful. So it goes through lumpy oatmeal, mushroom lasagna and slimy eggs, with James’ father parrying his son’s every picky thrust. And it is fun, because the father’s retorts are so outlandish: the lasagna-making troll in the basement who will be sent back to the rat circus, there to endure the rodent’s vicious bites; the uneaten oatmeal that will grow and grow and probably devour the dog that the boy won’t be able to tickle any longer since his bones are so rubbery. Schneider’s watercolors catch the mood of gentle ribbing, the looks of bewilderment and surrender and the deadpanned malarkey. It all makes James’ father’s last urging—“I was just going to say that you might like them if you tried them”—wholly fresh and unexpected advice. (Early reader. 5-9)
Pub Date: May 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-547-14956-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: April 4, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift.
A paean to teachers and their surrogates everywhere.
This gentle ode to a teacher’s skill at inspiring, encouraging, and being a role model is spoken, presumably, from a child’s viewpoint. However, the voice could equally be that of an adult, because who can’t look back upon teachers or other early mentors who gave of themselves and offered their pupils so much? Indeed, some of the self-aware, self-assured expressions herein seem perhaps more realistic as uttered from one who’s already grown. Alternatively, readers won’t fail to note that this small book, illustrated with gentle soy-ink drawings and featuring an adult-child bear duo engaged in various sedentary and lively pursuits, could just as easily be about human parent- (or grandparent-) child pairs: some of the softly colored illustrations depict scenarios that are more likely to occur within a home and/or other family-oriented setting. Makes sense: aren’t parents and other close family members children’s first teachers? This duality suggests that the book might be best shared one-on-one between a nostalgic adult and a child who’s developed some self-confidence, having learned a thing or two from a parent, grandparent, older relative, or classroom instructor.
A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-943200-08-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Compendium
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
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