Diesen tackles a worry not often found in back-to-school books; young Mr. Fish will ease children’s fears about what will be...
This look back at when Mr. Fish was young and starting school for the first time focuses on belonging.
Poor little Mr. Fish is not having a good first day of school. It started off well enough with a smooch from his parents, but then he lost his way in the big building. He peeks in several doorways and attempts to do the work he sees the other little fish doing, but he just can’t, whether it’s writing his name, drawing a rhombus or doing long division. Each time, the frustrated fish plops down his pencil and counts his troubles: “Trouble One: I’m not smart! / Trouble Two: I’ll never get it! / Trouble Three: I don’t belong! / So Four: I should forget it!” Just as he is ready to leave the school, his new teacher finds him and turns his troubles on their heads with a rhyme sure to accompany children on their own first days. As in the Pout-Pout Fish’s other adventures, Hanna’s cartoonish ocean realm is full of details for both children and adults (don’t miss the posters and signs on the school walls), the various sea creatures using whatever appendages they have to complete their schoolwork.
Diesen tackles a worry not often found in back-to-school books; young Mr. Fish will ease children’s fears about what will be expected of them. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: June 24, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-374-36095-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Rosie provides a delightful introduction to preschool that will soothe first-day worries.
An endearing guide shows young children what preschool will be like.
Her friendly manner and the tips she scatters throughout will help readers feel right at home and well-prepared for their transitions to school: “Hi, I’m Rosie. Welcome to preschool. Come on in!” Her day starts by putting her things, which include a stuffed bear for naptime, in her cubby and then saying goodbye to her dad—“Your grown-up will be back soon,” a “Rosie Tip” in a medallion inset informs readers. Her multiracial classmates are all busily engaged in many activities until circle time. Rosie similarly teaches readers about the school schedule, classroom-helper jobs, and special classroom routines: today is art day, and they also play music with Mr. Lombardo. There’s potty time, lunch, recess, naptime, and then it’s time to get ready to go home. Rosie is a round-headed, rosy-cheeked girl with high buns in her light-brown hair. She’s confident and self-assured, and she and her classmates shed no tears at all the whole day, which is unrealistic though comforting to new preschoolers. Katz’s patterned, mixed-media illustrations are superbright and simple, keeping the focus on Rosie’s tour. Similarly, Katz keeps the sentences short and the vocabulary easy to suit her audience.
Rosie provides a delightful introduction to preschool that will soothe first-day worries. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: July 7, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-385-37917-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random
Review Posted Online: May 11, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2015
Eye-catching fun.
This bright new entry by an old pro should find a place on the long shelf of picture books about animals and colors.
A narrator-artist appears at the beginning and end, confidently wielding a brush. Each spread in between showcases a single large, arresting animal portrait. The child-friendly theme features fanciful coloring: blue horse, pink rabbit, purple fox. Although the narrator claims specifically to “paint” each one, the illustrations are actually made from painted tissue-paper collage, which allows for stylized sharp edges and a lively choppiness. To emphasize the bold bushiness of the green lion’s mane and the thick, rugged armor on the dark-red crocodile, Carle pulls a tool through wet paint, leaving thick patterned lines. The textured, yellow-and-orange cow’s body reveals traces of darkness showing through from the night-sky background of black and green-blue. Fans of animals, color recognition or shouting out what’s unusual will laugh at each creature’s delightfully preposterous color. An author’s note pays homage to Franz Marc, a German painter born in 1880, and reproduces two pieces: Blue Horse I and Yellow Cow. The target audience here will find the concept of a tribute to a fine artist too abstract, but Marc’s colorful pieces themselves might well hold interest, with adult encouragement.
Eye-catching fun. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-399-25713-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Aug. 23, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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