by Carole Lexa Schaefer & illustrated by Pierr Morgan ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2008
As the yellow bus pulls away into the drizzle, it leaves behind a cluster of energetic youngsters at preschool, ready for a day of playacting. The mastery of this book lies in the portrayal of the world through the children’s creative perspective. By overlaying each illustration of the kids’ actual activities with slightly transparent gouache, Morgan beautifully brings to life what they’re all imagining. As the fire engine goes by, readers see “Firefighters like us!” with squirting hoses and cherry-red helmets. As they rummage through the costume trunk and pull back the purple curtain to put on a show, readers see “Clowns like us!” as they “Yee-ha!” and “Wa-hoo!” into circus antics. When they venture into the jungle, readers see “Dinosaurs like us!” as ordinary dinosaur toys transform the children into T. rex and Apatosaurus. Each page rings with such wonderfully onomatopoeic sounds as “Wuffle,” “Scritchy-scratch” and “Ring-a-ding!” The names of colors appear in appropriately hued inks, providing an extra learning experience. A sure-fire impetus for rousing make-believe play! (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: May 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-670-06290-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2008
Share your opinion of this book
More by Carole Lexa Schaefer
BOOK REVIEW
by Carole Lexa Schaefer ; illustrated by Pierr Morgan
BOOK REVIEW
by Carole Lexa Schaefer ; illustrated by Becca Stadtlander
BOOK REVIEW
by Carole Lexa Schaefer ; illustrated by Pierr Morgan
by Kimiko Kajikawa & illustrated by Ed Young ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 2009
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
Share your opinion of this book
More by Kimiko Kajikawa
BOOK REVIEW
by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Axel Scheffler ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1999
The action of this rhymed and humorous tale centers upon a mouse who "took a stroll/through the deep dark wood./A fox saw the mouse/and the mouse looked good." The mouse escapes being eaten by telling the fox that he is on his way to meet his friend the gruffalo (a monster of his imagination), whose favorite food is roasted fox. The fox beats a hasty retreat. Similar escapes are in store for an owl and a snake; both hightail it when they learn the particulars: tusks, claws, terrible jaws, eyes orange, tongue black, purple prickles on its back. When the gruffalo suddenly materializes out of the mouse's head and into the forest, the mouse has to think quick, declaring himself inedible as the "scariest creature in the deep dark wood," and inviting the gruffalo to follow him to witness the effect he has on the other creatures. When the gruffalo hears that the mouse's favorite food is gruffalo crumble, he runs away. It's a fairly innocuous tale, with twists that aren't sharp enough and treachery that has no punch. Scheffler's funny scenes prevent the suspense from culminating; all his creatures, predator and prey, are downright lovable. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: June 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-8037-2386-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1999
Share your opinion of this book
More by Julia Donaldson
BOOK REVIEW
by Julia Donaldson ; illustrated by Axel Scheffler
BOOK REVIEW
by Julia Donaldson ; illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
BOOK REVIEW
by Julia Donaldson ; illustrated by Victoria Sandøy
More About This Book
SEEN & HEARD
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.