A light, sweet story of a little girl who finds a fairy family in her backyard—and a reminder to save time to notice the unseen world, which to children is often very real. Annabelle looks for fairies in the garden every day, while her little brother follows along and her parents go about their daily business. Annabelle’s father is completely unable to see the fairy family Annabelle finds, although he humors her. Her mother seems somewhat more receptive, but it’s hard to tell if Mom can actually see the little creatures. The basic, stylized, pen-and-watercolor illustrations emphasize the difference in sizes between Annabelle’s human family and the Byrd family of fairies. Cutely chubby, frizzy-haired Annabelle is a veritable giant from the fairies’ point of view, and the fairies will seem fascinatingly tiny to readers; the fairy baby Cecily is “as big as a fingernail,” and the watch the fairies give Annabelle as a parting gift fits on her finger, not her wrist. The quote from Hebrews that opens the text, encouraging hospitality to strangers because some of them may be angels, characterizes the worthy concept behind this deceptively simple tale. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: June 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-7636-1772-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 20, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2002
Categories: CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S
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PLB 0-8027-8649-9 The simple life cycle of a bean provides a practical and understandable example of scientific observation for budding young naturalists. Starting with a hand shown holding a single bean, readers journey full circle from soaking, planting, and watering, to flowering, harvesting, and eating. Uncluttered three-dimensional artwork complements the short, simple text; each stage of the bean’s transformation from seed to vegetable is shown in large scale, drawn so realistically that the texture of the skin seems to show the strain as the bean gets ready to put down roots. This is an ideal book for classrooms where students can’t resist the temptation to keep “checking” on their bean plants. (Picture book/nonfiction. 3-6)
Pub Date: April 1, 1998
ISBN: 0-8027-8648-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Walker
Review Posted Online: May 20, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1998
Categories: CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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Spencer owns a multitude of toys: old toys and new ones, big toys and small ones, bath toys, wooden toys, board games, computer games, miniature cars and trucks, musical instruments, stuffed animals and action figures. They are everywhere, including on the floor where his parents can trip on them. One day, Spencer’s mom has had enough and announces that some of the toys have to go. Shaken, Spencer cries, “BUT I LOVE THEM ALL!” There’s no stopping Spencer’s mom, however, who says she will help and proves to be a worthy adversary when Spencer attempts to make deals. Snappy dialogue and an absolutely on-target understanding of the psyches of both mother and child make the negotiation scene absolutely priceless. Will they both make it through the harrowing task before them? The elaborate, child-friendly pictures perfectly capture Spencer’s world, zeroing in on the chaos with glee and then pulling back to demonstrate graphically the traumas suffered by both adults and child in the process. Shannon’s sardonic wit will strike a chord with parents and children alike. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-439-49029-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Blue Sky/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 20, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2008
Categories: CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S
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