Milgrim is still on a roll with his clever early reader series featuring Otto the robot and his group of animal buddies. In this fifth entry in the series, Otto and friends are all on an island vacation with Santa, who just wants to kick back and enjoy some rest after passing out all those gifts. As Santa tries to nap, each character uses a new Christmas gift to interrupt the poor tired fellow. Otto finally uses his new fishing rod to save Santa by hooking him by his candy-cane-printed swimsuit and flinging him up into the robot’s tree house for a well-deserved rest. Though Milgrim uses the stereotypical short sentence structures found in lesser beginning readers, in his hands the short strings of repetitive words are hilarious. He also has a deft touch with his humorous illustrations full of quirky characters and slapstick comedy. Though beginning readers will love this latest Otto story, preschoolers and older kids will enjoy it too (as will the grown-ups, who know what it’s like to need a nap after Christmas). (Easy reader. 5-7)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-689-85928-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: May 20, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2004
Categories: CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS
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Young children won't understand the metaphors but will appreciate the sentiment made clear by the repeated, Halloween-themed declarations of love in Wan's latest board book.
Each of the seven spreads presents an endearment illustrated by an object drawn with heavy outlines and just enough detail to invoke its essential characteristics. Lest it become too maudlin, between the “sugary, sweet candy corn” and a “purr-fect, cuddly kitty” is a “wild, messy monster.” Wan manages to make each drawing expressive and distinctive while relying on just a few shapes—crescents or circles for eyes, dots or ovals accenting cheeks. Although each spread stands alone, there are quiet connections. For example, the orange of the pumpkin is repeated in the candy corn, and the purple that adorns kitty's hat and bow becomes the prominent color on the next spread, setting off the friendly white ghost nicely. The same purple is used for the spider's body on the next to last spread. Subtle, shadowed backgrounds repeat the patterns found elsewhere in the book. For example, the background of the page with the kitty includes pumpkins, hearts, and hats and bows like the ones kitty is wearing.
While this is not an essential purchase, most little pumpkins will love being told, “Baby, I'm batty for you!” (Board book. 6 mos.-3)Pub Date: June 28, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-545-88092-3
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 14, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
Categories: CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS
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“It was a dark and stormy night” as series fans find Fly Guy and Buzz hard at work in their 13th adventure.
Buzz and his insect buddy are playing. After an evening of making puzzles, trying on creepy costumes and admiring a drawing Buzz created featuring them both in their frighteningly fun garb, Buzz’s eyes get heavy and he climbs into bed. But Fly Guy is up to something—he is “BIZZY!” Buzz drops off into dreamland…or does he? A couple of page turns reveal Fly Guy on the verge of bringing a gigantic monster to life. A flip of an electrical switch sets the nightmare in motion. “Buzz cried, ‘It’s Frankenfly!’ ” The enormous, green creature responds to Buzz’s shout and shambles over to him. No surprise that Fly Guy comes to Buzz’s rescue just as the monster, more silly than menacing, picks him up. Morning comes with a fall out of bed to reveal the result of the project Fly Guy was determined to finish the previous night. Giggles and grape juice bring this latest installment to a satisfying close. All the while, Arnold’s deftly drawn cartoon expressions comically show the range of emotions as Buzz and Fly Guy experience fear, shock, bewilderment, determination and pride.
The theme of friendship and loyalty endures in this enjoyable mock-horror tale for new readers. (Easy reader. 5-7)Pub Date: July 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-545-49328-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: July 17, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2013
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS
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