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JETHRO BYRD

Name: JETHRO BYRD
Author: Bob Graham
ISBN: 0-7636-1772-5

FAIRY CHILD

by Bob Graham & illustrated by Bob Graham ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2001

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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 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2002

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
THE CONCRETE GARDEN
by Bob Graham ; illustrated by Bob Graham

- BOOK REVIEW
JIGSAW
by Bob Graham ; illustrated by Bob Graham

- BOOK REVIEW
MAXINE
by Bob Graham ; illustrated by Bob Graham

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TSUNAMI!

by Kimiko Kajikawa & illustrated by Ed Young ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 2009

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Through quick thinking and personal sacrifice, a wise old Japanese farmer saves the people of his village from a devastating tsunami in this simple yet striking story based on Lafcadio Hearn’s “A Living God.” Ojiisan lives in a cottage on a mountain overlooking the village and sea. One day, villagers gather to celebrate the rice harvest, but Ojiisan stays home thinking “something does not feel right.” When the earth quakes and the sea darkens and runs away from the land, Ojiisan realizes a tsunami approaches. Fearing the oblivious villagers will be swept away, Ojiisan torches his rice fields to attract attention, and they respond, barely escaping the monster wave. Rendered in gouache, pastel and collage, Young’s illustrations cleverly combine natural textures, bold colors and abstract shapes to convey compelling images of chaos and disaster as the rice fields burn and the wave rushes in. In one literally breathtaking double-page spread, an enormous wall of water engulfs the teeny seacoast village. A visually powerful and dramatic tribute to one man’s willingness to sacrifice everything for others. (Picture book. 3-5)

Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-399-25006-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Philomel

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2008

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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TOO MANY TOYS

by David Shannon & illustrated by David Shannon ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2008

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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)