THE FLIGHT OF THE BUZBY BEE

Name: THE FLIGHT OF THE BUZBY BEE
Author: David; Illus. by the author Lyon
ISBN: 0-9741328-0-2

by David; Illus. by the author Lyon ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 1936

While the story is merely adequate, the lively and colorful paintings, with faces strongly reminiscent of those in The Magic...

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Bright, entertaining illustrations accompany an odd little text about the lives and adventures of bees.

Musician Buzby Bee, like all the other bees, is in love with his queen, in this case a regal bee with a blue pageboy hairdo. When the queen asks for a volunteer to bring her special nectar from a faraway garden, no one steps forward. Buzby, not exactly the adventurous type, accidentally volunteers himself when he sneezes during the proceedings. Alas, his reluctant quest soon becomes more difficult than he had planned. The flowers that provide the special nectar will not bloom, a dandelion informs Buzby, until a friend of theirs, picked yesterday, is rescued from a nearby house. Nearly defeated by the closed window, Buzby gains entrance to the house after a friendly Fly and Firefly show him the way. After rescuing the captured flower, they attach it to its roots with a Band-Aid. Soon all the flowers bloom, filled with glee that their friend has been saved–and as promised, they allow Buzby to gather the nectar. Back at the hive, the queen shares her special honey with Buzby in gratitude for his bravery, and agrees to go to the garden to meet his many new friends.

While the story is merely adequate, the lively and colorful paintings, with faces strongly reminiscent of those in The Magic Roundabout, are full of delight. (Picture book. 3-5)

Pub Date: Feb. 6, 1936

ISBN: 0-9741328-0-2

Page Count: -

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

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DORY STORY

by Jerry Pallotta ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2000

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Who is next in the ocean food chain? Pallotta has a surprising answer in this picture book glimpse of one curious boy. Danny, fascinated by plankton, takes his dory and rows out into the ocean, where he sees shrimp eating those plankton, fish sand eels eating shrimp, mackerel eating fish sand eels, bluefish chasing mackerel, tuna after bluefish, and killer whales after tuna. When an enormous humpbacked whale arrives on the scene, Danny’s dory tips over and he has to swim for a large rock or become—he worries’someone’s lunch. Surreal acrylic illustrations in vivid blues and red extend the story of a small boy, a small boat, and a vast ocean, in which the laws of the food chain are paramount. That the boy has been bathtub-bound during this entire imaginative foray doesn’t diminish the suspense, and the facts Pallotta presents are solidly researched. A charming fish tale about the one—the boy—that got away. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2000

ISBN: 0-88106-075-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2000

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

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FROGGY PLAYS SOCCER

by Jonathan London ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1999

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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)