by Becky Bloom ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1999
An entertaining tale featuring well-known figures; a tired, hungry wold enters a little town populated by disgruntled people, humorously drawn by Biet. He carries a hobo’s kerchief on a stick, has “only a little money that he kept for emergencies.” He ventures out to a farm, planning to eat the animals, but finds them unfazed and engrossed in reading. In a fit of one-upmanship, he decides to learn to read, too, and “since he didn’t try to eat anyone,” his human classmates become accustomed to having him around. He is rejected again by the animals until he refines his style of reading aloud. He is finally accepted into the group for his efforts, and all read happily ever after in the farmyard. That ending is a bit abrupt, but readers will be compensated in the portrayal of ducks, cows, and pigs reading—and their annoyance when they are interrupted—which perfectly suits the amusing text. The cartoonish figures have expressive faces and postures, offering plenty for readers to pore over. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-531-30155-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orchard
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1999
Share your opinion of this book
by Jonathan London ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1999
This latest Froggy title (Froggy Goes to School, 1996, etc.) is utterly unfocused, with the star careening from soccer dolt to Mr. Superkick. Froggy’s team has a big game coming up with the Wild Things, and he is trying to remember the mantra his father, and assistant coach, taught him: “Head it! Boot it! Knee it! Shoot it! But don’t use your hands!” But illegally touching the ball seems to be the least of Froggy’s worries; distraction is his problem. He is so busy turning cartwheels, tying his shoes, and more, that the only time he makes contact with the ball is when it bounces off his head by mistake. Then, when the Wild Things make a breakaway, Froggy has some dazzling moves to avert a score, but forgetfully grabs the ball at the last second. The other team gets a penalty kick, converts it, but then Froggy makes a field-long kick for a game-winning score. London forces Froggy into too many guises—the fool, the hero, the klutz, the fancy dancer—but none of them stick. Remkiewicz’s illustrations have charm; it is in their appeal that this book will find its audience. (Picture book. 2-6)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-670-88257-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999
Share your opinion of this book
More by Jonathan London
BOOK REVIEW
by Jonathan London ; illustrated by Gilles Eduar
BOOK REVIEW
by Jonathan London ; illustrated by Gilles Eduar
BOOK REVIEW
by Jonathan London ; illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
by Tony Johnston ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2000
From Johnston (An Old Shell, 1999, etc.), poetic phrases that follow a ghostly barn owl through days and nights, suns and moons. Barn owls have been nesting and roosting, hunting and hatching in the barn and its surroundings for as long as the barn has housed spiders, as long as the wheat fields have housed mice, “a hundred years at least.” The repetition of alliterative words and the hushed hues of the watercolors evoke the soundless, timeless realm of the night owl through a series of spectral scenes. Short, staccato strings of verbs describe the age-old actions and cycles of barn owls, who forever “grow up/and sleep/and wake/and blink/and hunt for mice.” Honey-colored, diffused light glows in contrast to the star-filled night scenes of barn owls blinking awake. A glimpse into the hidden campestral world of the elusive barn owl. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-88106-981-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2000
Share your opinion of this book
More by Jin Wang
BOOK REVIEW
by Jin Wang with Tony Johnston ; illustrated by Anisi Baigude
BOOK REVIEW
by Tony Johnston ; illustrated by Tiffany Bozic
BOOK REVIEW
by Tony Johnston ; illustrated by Jim LaMarche
© 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.