Along the lines of their Hello, Bumblebee Bat (July 2007), Lunde and Wynne again introduce primary readers to a small, fuzzy animal through a very simply written interview: “Hello, little animal. What is your name?” “My name is Little Meerkat. I am a kind of mongoose.” Looking directly at the viewer in Wynne’s cleanly drawn illustrations, or seen scampering about a nearly barren habitat with its burrow-mates, the interviewee describes its appearance, what it eats, sounds it can make and common habits, then at day’s end nestles down in cozy company for the night. Playing up the meerkat’s general cuteness and social nature, this takes a more anthropomorphic approach than Heidi Moore’s A Mob of Meerkats (2004), but may in consequence lend itself better to sharing with groups of children. (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-7)
Pub Date: July 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-1-58089-110-3
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2007
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
Jules (aka Shtinky Puddin’) finally gets his own picture-book platform to preach his environmentally friendly, endangered-species-loving message. In the pale colors of a Mutts Sunday comic strip, Jules the orange kitten sets out with a mission: to hug the whole world. “He hugged his best friends, Mooch, Noodles, and Earl, / A butterfly, buttercups, a little gray squirrel.” He works his way around the globe hugging chimps, pandas and wombats until he finds himself alone at the North Pole. After accepting an offered hug from a passing polar bear, Jules hurries home to hug the one he loves best: Doozy. Fans of the first two picture books featuring the Mutts crew will find this no less charming, though the message here is a bit more heavily laid on. The illustrations are the greatest strength here; and, like its predecessors, this would be a fine gift or story-time choice. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-316-11494-3
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2007
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