An amusing holiday outing for Clark the Shark fans.
Hale and Francis continue their popular series about the boisterous shark named Clark with a story about a Secret Santa gift exchange in his classroom.
The Christmas holiday is celebrated at Theodore Roosterfish Elementary, and all the sea-creature students are to draw names for their gift exchange. The teacher, a pink octopus named Mrs. Inkydink, explains the rules of the Secret Santa plan, and Clark draws the name of Benny Blowfish. Clark’s focus over the next weeks is on his own forthcoming gift and who his Secret Santa might be rather than on what present he’ll give to Benny. By the time of the gift exchange, unprepared Clark gives Benny his own Captain Suckermouth comic book as a last-minute gift, feeling bad about his lack of preparation. In a neatly satisfying twist, Benny is also Clark’s Secret Santa and gives Clark the very same comic book for his gift. Clark’s exuberant character and basically good heart shine through his bluster, and he even learns a little lesson about the spirit of holiday giving. The comical illustrations painted with acrylics have a fresh, contemporary feel with lots of bright patterns, white or pale gray backgrounds, and Clark’s boldly striped shirt. Clever touches in the illustrations include a starfish on top of the green coral Christmas tree and several athletic socks for Sid the Squid’s Secret Santa present.
An amusing holiday outing for Clark the Shark fans. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 20, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-06-237452-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2016
Though Jim may have been grumpy because a chimp’s an ape and not a monkey, readers will enjoy and maybe learn from his...
It’s a wonderful day in the jungle, so why’s Jim Panzee so grumpy?
When Jim woke up, nothing was right: "The sun was too bright, the sky was too blue, and bananas were too sweet." Norman the gorilla asks Jim why he’s so grumpy, and Jim insists he’s not. They meet Marabou, to whom Norman confides that Jim’s grumpy. When Jim denies it again, Marabou points out that Jim’s shoulders are hunched; Jim stands up. When they meet Lemur, Lemur points out Jim’s bunchy eyebrows; Jim unbunches them. When he trips over Snake, Snake points out Jim’s frown…so Jim puts on a grimacelike smile. Everyone has suggestions to brighten his mood: dancing, singing, swinging, swimming…but Jim doesn’t feel like any of that. He gets so fed up, he yells at his animal friends and stomps off…then he feels sad about yelling. He and Norman (who regrets dancing with that porcupine) finally just have a sit and decide it’s a wonderful day to be grumpy—which, of course, makes them both feel a little better. Suzanne Lang’s encouragement to sit with your emotions (thus allowing them to pass) is nearly Buddhist in its take, and it will be great bibliotherapy for the crabby, cranky, and cross. Oscar-nominated animator Max Lang’s cartoony illustrations lighten the mood without making light of Jim’s mood; Jim has comically long arms, and his facial expressions are quite funny.
Though Jim may have been grumpy because a chimp’s an ape and not a monkey, readers will enjoy and maybe learn from his journey. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 15, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-553-53786-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Feb. 18, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2018
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A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
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