PLB 0-7358-1070-2 A very minimal imaginative effort starring Little Bunny, identified as an only child (although there are no parents commented upon or seen) who is feeling a bit lonely as he tries to go to sleep. He hops off to Squirrel’s house; Squirrel readily invites him in, but proves to be a midnight snacker who makes too much noise with his acorns. Little Bunny tries Skunk’s house, but there is a minor accident of the aromatic kind, so Little Bunny moves on. At Porcupine’s a few errant quills send him packing; at Bear’s, the snoring can be registered on the Richter scale; at Owl’s, lights burn into the night as Owl feeds his keen intelligence. Owl’s words of wisdom: “Just go back home where you belong.” Little Bunny does, and falls asleep. Readers probably already know that there is no place like home, but the other messages—that friends are a bother, that it’s better to be lonely, that individual quirks cannot be accommodated—will be new. Gorbachev’s illustrations are great, colorful scene-setting tableaux, owing more than a nod to Richard Scarry. (Picture book. 4-7)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7358-1069-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Baker (Big Fat Hen, 1994, etc.) engages in more number play, posing ducklings in every combination of groups, e.g., “Splashing as they leap and dive/7 ducklings, 2 plus 5.” Using a great array of streaked and dappled papers, Baker creates a series of leafy collage scenes for the noisy, exuberant ducklings to fill, tucking in an occasional ladybug or other small creature for sharp-eyed pre-readers to spot. Children will regretfully wave goodbye as the ducks fly off in neat formation at the end of this brief, painless introduction to several basic math concepts. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-292858-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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