A trite tale designed for the holiday gift market, printed on stiff brown paper, cut to a shelf-dominating trim size, and featuring a near-life-sized image of a teddy on the cover. A “magical light” having entered her room, blue-eyed, flaxen-haired Jessica wakes to find a plush bear, inexpertly wrapped in paper, that comes to life and flies her to a playroom filled with similarly animate, old-fashioned toys—all her size or larger. With monotonous delight, Jessica marches with the toy soldiers, rides a train, dances with a (girl) doll, plays with a wooden dog, and watches a monkey “perform silly tricks just for her,” then gets flown back to bed so that she can tell her Grandpa all about it in the morning. Reed depicts figures with close-up, detailed realism (adding the occasional shiny highlight), but there aren’t any real feelings or characters here. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-439-63900-X
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2004
An enchanting tale from Fox (Boo to a Goose, 1998, etc.), about a mother bear readying her six little cubs for their long winter snooze. With the onset of cooler weather, Mother Bear lures her bustling offspring into bed with the promise of one final bedtime rhyme for each sibling. With her cubs tucked in around her, Mother Bear recites lullaby poems that are as unique as the little one she is addressing. She serenades her tots with tales of swashbuckling pirates, daring trapeze artists, regal queens, and indulgent sultans. Fox’s honeyed verses resonate with a mother’s love and consummate understanding of her child’s individualism. “Moonbeams touch your precious face/And stars float by with gentle grace.” Argent’s amber-hued illustrations tenderly capture the cozy comfort of the bear family as they snuggle into bed by candlelight, while the more vividly colored pictures reflect the dream world Mother Bear creates. A bewitching collection of sleepy time rhymes. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-202016-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999
Importuned by the incomprehensible cries of his baby brother, Joey turns to his other family members to decipher their meaning, preferring the role of an observer in the daily care of his sibling. However, a keen remark from Grandmother enlightens Joey and forges a special bond between the two youngest members of the household: “You spoke baby talk not so long ago.” After a few tentative phrases in baby gibberish, the siblings are happily communicating in their own language to their mutual delight. Soon Joey becomes the translator for the family, explaining the baby’s requests to the others. The transformation of Joey from reluctant toddler to loving brother is realistically, achingly rendered, saved from sentimentalism by the conversations and genuine affection that blossom between brothers. Graham’s incandescent illustrations complement and expand the text, making the flow of emotion between the siblings a nearly tangible element in their scenes. A blend of delicate hues and deep jewel tones suffused by a gentle light lends an ethereal quality to the images. (Picture book. 3-7)
Pub Date: May 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-689-82146-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1999
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