An informative, exciting book about a truly valuable topic.
A debut overview of university life written for very young students.
In an elementary classroom setting, Miss Sims begins a discussion about college, “where you can learn to be whatever you want to be when you grow up.” The students, when asked about their aspirations, eagerly share their lofty dreams, such as becoming a doctor, a teacher, or a pilot. The teacher then briefly explains some of the logistics of college—such as how to pay for it with scholarships, loans, and jobs—before delving into its exciting opportunities: meeting new people, volunteering in the community, participating in school organizations, and even studying abroad. At the end, she asks, “Who thinks they’ll go to college someday?” And the response is a resounding affirmative. Patterson does a fantastic job of presenting the most important and thrilling parts of the college experience, which will surely motivate young students to later attend. The noticeable diversity among the students (black, white, and Asian; male and female) sends a clear message that anyone can pursue higher education (“You can be the first in your family to go”). Also, Prajogo’s (Banana Chronicles: The Lost Medallion, 2017, etc.) vivid illustrations with a chalkboard-green theme capture the excitement of education and even show the kids as young adults.
An informative, exciting book about a truly valuable topic.Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68401-385-2
Page Count: 38
Publisher: Mascot Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 9, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A book that will make young dog-owners smile in recognition and confirm dogless readers' worst suspicions about the mayhem caused by pets, even winsome ones. Sam, who bears passing resemblance to an affable golden retriever, is praised for fetching the family newspaper, and goes on to fetch every other newspaper on the block. In the next story, only the children love Sam's swimming; he is yelled at by lifeguards and fishermen alike when he splashes through every watering hole he can find. Finally, there is woe to the entire family when Sam is bored and lonely for one long night. Boland has an essential message, captured in both both story and illustrations of this Easy-to-Read: Kids and dogs belong together, especially when it's a fun-loving canine like Sam. An appealing tale. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: April 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-8037-1530-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1996
A nice but not requisite purchase.
A retelling of the classic fairy tale in board-book format and with a Mexican setting.
Though simplified for a younger audience, the text still relates the well-known tale: mean-spirited stepmother, spoiled stepsisters, overworked Cinderella, fairy godmother, glass slipper, charming prince, and, of course, happily-ever-after. What gives this book its flavor is the artwork. Within its Mexican setting, the characters are olive-skinned and dark-haired. Cultural references abound, as when a messenger comes carrying a banner announcing a “FIESTA” in beautiful papel picado. Cinderella is the picture of beauty, with her hair up in ribbons and flowers and her typically Mexican many-layered white dress. The companion volume, Snow White, set in Japan and illustrated by Misa Saburi, follows the same format. The simplified text tells the story of the beautiful princess sent to the forest by her wicked stepmother to be “done away with,” the dwarves that take her in, and, eventually, the happily-ever-after ending. Here too, what gives the book its flavor is the artwork. The characters wear traditional clothing, and the dwarves’ house has the requisite shoji screens, tatami mats and cherry blossoms in the garden. The puzzling question is, why the board-book presentation? Though the text is simplified, it’s still beyond the board-book audience, and the illustrations deserve full-size books.
A nice but not requisite purchase. (Board book/fairy tale. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-7915-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
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