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NOT LAST NIGHT BUT THE NIGHT BEFORE

Name: NOT LAST NIGHT BUT THE NIGHT BEFORE
Author: Colin McNaughton
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4420-8

by Colin McNaughton & illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2009

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The old jump-rope rhyme about 24 robbers knocking on the door is revised using fairy-tale characters instead of robbers as the visitors. The first-person narrator is a little boy who answers the Dutch door at his house to admit the characters, with each group carrying a wrapped present. The visitors include well-known fairy-tale friends such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Jack and Jill, along with three mysterious, black cats and the Man in the Moon. This book was first published in England, so the traditional characters of Punch, Judy, their baby and Crocodile also appear, which will require some explanation for American readers. A slapstick, “he’s a jolly good fellow” atmosphere prevails, with the whole cast of characters singing a birthday greeting to the boy as a surprise conclusion. Chichester Clark’s comical watercolor illustrations are filled with patterned costumes, flowers, balloons and amusing action as the fairy-tale characters trip over themselves to get to the party on time. The little boy may be repeatedly knocked down by the guests, but that doesn’t get in the way of his fun. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-7636-4420-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Candlewick

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2009

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
THE ALIENS ARE COMING!
by Colin McNaughton & illustrated by Colin McNaughton

- BOOK REVIEW
WE’RE OFF TO LOOK FOR ALIENS
by Colin McNaughton & illustrated by Colin McNaughton

- BOOK REVIEW
CAPTAIN ABDUL’S LITTLE TREASURE
by Colin McNaughton & illustrated by Colin McNaughton

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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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THE GRUFFALO

by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Axel Scheffler ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1999

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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)