It won't set your hair on fire, but it's a story that exudes its own dry warmth. (Picture book. 3-7)
A modest tale of a Bigfoot.
Larf is one of those large, hairy, bipedal, apelike cryptids commonly known to humanoids as Sasquatch or Bigfoot. He is a retiring soul—as, evidently, are most Bigfeet. He lives deep in the northern forest with his pet rabbit, Eric, who is one of the more droll creatures—all deadpan, pop-eyed diminutiveness—to inhabit recent picture books. Larf thinks he is one-of-a-kind, but he reads that another Sasquatch is making an appearance in a nearby town. Fascinated, yet harboring the standard run of trepidations when about to meet a potential friend, he dons a minimalist disguise and shows up at the appointed time, only to learn that the Sasquatch is just a guy in costume ("It was all a BIG FAKE"). But someone else has appeared to meet that same Bigfoot, and, who knows, maybe there'll be a Littlefoot in a baby carriage. Spires hits squarely a number of nails here—not least that people wouldn't recognize a Bigfoot right under their collective noses—and her watercolor-and-ink artworks fairly captures the far-north woodlands and the enjoyably kooky characters of her tale.
It won't set your hair on fire, but it's a story that exudes its own dry warmth. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-55453-701-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Jan. 3, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Legions of parents and preschoolers across the land adore the baby bunny in starry pajamas (and the anti-materialistic sentiments) in Long’s bestselling Hush Little Baby (1997). Now the baby bunny and his parents are ready to celebrate a simple Christmas bunny-style to the words of the traditional carol, “Deck the Halls” (here changed to just one hall in the smaller rabbit household). Each left-hand page includes one line of the song with the requisite number of “Fa-la-la’s” accompanied by a small square illustration of a holiday decoration or one of the rabbit family. On each facing page is a full illustration of the bunnies decorating their house, donning their gay apparel, trolling ancient yuletide carols, and snuggling together in front of the Yule log. On Christmas day they go skating with the little bunny’s new skates, singing and playing outside “heedless of the wind and weather.” On a particularly endearing page describing yuletide treasure, the smaller illustration shows the binding of this Deck the Hall book on a shelf of Christmas titles (look closely to see a glimpse of Santa Bunny in the background). In the larger illustration the bunny family is reading the book together, with Mom and Dad in cozy bathrobes and baby in his famous starry pj’s. A yuletide treasure indeed, for Christmas gift-giving and for quick sing-alongs in story hours and before bedtime. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-8118-2821-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2000
Luna, who loves the moon, wonders where it goes by day. Thus, nightly she tries to stay awake, hoping to learn its secret. But the sounds of each evening lull her to sleep. In dreams, mirages of the moon appear, yet the mystery remains until the young enthusiast is catapulted into space. Latyk’s lush artwork, well-executed and incredibly tasteful, is a visual treat. Composed of graphic shapes in a retro-cool style, the digital illustrations flow with Martin’s words as the story progresses. Visions of Luna soaring above mountains, gliding across the sky, luminous in the depths of the sea are exhilarating yet peaceful, playful yet refined. Although the text feels labored at times, the use of onomatopoeia to describe the rhythmic sounds of waves washing, crickets chirping and rain pouring will ready restless readers for bed, and many will find comfort in the steadfast moon and its gentle light. Those who cavil that the moon is very often visible by day are missing the point. A lovely, slumberous story. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5012-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Templar/Candlewick
Review Posted Online: July 1, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2010
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