RICKY RICOTTA’S GIANT ROBOT VS. THE VOODOO VULTURES FROM VENUS

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RICKY RICOTTA’S GIANT ROBOT VS. THE VOODOO VULTURES FROM VENUS

Name: RICKY RICOTTA’S GIANT ROBOT VS. THE VOODOO VULTURES FROM VENUS
Author: Dav Pilkey
ISBN: 0-439-23624-X

by Dav Pilkey & illustrated by Martin Ontiveros ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2001

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It’s easy to see how Pilkey’s high-action, easy-reading chapter novel with a comic-book feel would appeal to younger readers. The black-and-white stylish pictures by Ontiveros are way cool and the text is insouciant and funny. This is the third book that pairs the tiny bespectacled mouse, Ricky, with his super-strong, giant robot buddy, a sharp-jawed fellow who looks like an out-of-shape wrestler with rodent ears. Because Ricky is being punished for acting irresponsibly—he and his robot have come home late for dinner again—they are the only ones on the Planet Earth who miss the television show Rocky Rodent. And it’s a good thing too, because that very night a group of Voodoo Vultures from the Planet Venus, tired of eating the melted mess that passes for food on their super hot planet, beam down rays through the television, hypnotizing Earth’s entire population, except for Ricky, into obeying their wishes. When they arrive on Earth, the ravenous vultures order the hypnotized mice to bring them good Earth cooking, in a funny throwaway touch demanding “more chocolate chip cookies” but “no more rice cakes,” until Ricky is able to figure out how to save the day. Parents will be happy to know this tale does have a moral, “responsibility . . . is doing the right thing at the right time,” though giggling fans may miss it. Also containing a rather lame flip-o-rama and instructions on how to draw the characters, this book is silly good fun. (Fiction. 7-10)

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2001

ISBN: 0-439-23624-X

Page Count: 128

Publisher: Blue Sky/Scholastic

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2000

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ACTION & ADVENTURE FICTION | CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

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BIG JIM BEGINS
by Dav Pilkey ; illustrated by Dav Pilkey ; color by Jose Garibaldi & Wes Dzioba

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THE SCARLET SHEDDER
by Dav Pilkey ; illustrated by Dav Pilkey color by Jose Garibaldi & Wes Dzioba

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INFLUENCERS
by Dav Pilkey ; illustrated by Dav Pilkey ; color by Jose Garibaldi & Wes Dzioba

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TINY GREEN THUMBS

by C.Z. Guest ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2000

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Guest debuts in children’s books with a story of intergenerational love, focusing on the gardening efforts of two small animals. With the expert guidance of Ganny Bun, Tiny Bun and his friend, Little Mouse, learn how to create, care for, and grow a garden. Under Ganny’s tutelage, the duo learn of the six elements necessary for a garden: soil, seed, water, sun, time, and love. Together the novice gardeners prepare the soil, select and plant a plethora of seeds, and water the seedlings. When Tiny Bun, balking at the seemingly endless wait for results, asks Ganny Bun what he should do until the plants are ready, she shows him how he can turn his ordinary thumbs into tiny green thumbs. After doing all the weeding and caring for the plants, Tiny Bun discovers that his little thumbs are indeed green (and brown too, from all the weeds and dirt) and a bountiful vegetable garden awaits him for harvesting. Guest imbues the tale with genuine passion for the art of gardening and all things leafy and green. Krupinski’s lush illustrations, meticulously detailed and overflowing with an abundance of flora, depict the verdant beauty of a summer garden in all its glory. Interspersed throughout the text are simple, child-friendly directions for engaging in the pleasures of gardening. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: March 1, 2000

ISBN: 0-7868-0516-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Hyperion

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2000

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

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ALL-WEATHER FRIENDS

by Udo Weigelt ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1999

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PLB 0-7358-1048-6 Is it going to be a good-weather day? That’s the question that all the animals expect Moss the frog to answer; it’s well known that some humans in the neighborhood keep their “weather frog” in a jar. Moss strives mightily, predicting sunny weather right before it rains, and rain just before it clears up. He can’t live up to his reputation, but he can rescue that frog, Olive, imprisoned in the jar, thus turning her into a grateful companion. The tradition, known mostly in Europe, of keeping weather frogs in jars is explained in a note. Black crayon sketches washed with watercolor move the characters across the pages and reflect the full range of their emotions; this playful story may leave readers ready to conduct their own experiments in forecasting the weather—with or without the help of a frog. (Picture book. 5-8)