Stagestruck Annie sees an opportunity for breaking into show biz almost everywhere she looks—even in the dairy section of the supermarket that her third-grade class visits on a field trip- -which is why she ends up dropping yogurt on the floor. Still, from her point of view, slapping her tormentor, Matthew, with a dead fish is an involuntary act. But her teacher, who doesn't see it that way, abruptly ends the class trip and gives Annie a good talking-to on the way back. Since she's in disgrace, Annie gets the part no one wants in the class play on nutrition—an artichoke. In the event, she's a pretty good one, and also levelheaded enough to save the show when Matthew forgets his lines. Then, true to form, she topples into her classmates, causing an avalanche of ``foods.'' Annie's narration has an engagingly light, deadpan humor. Good fun. (Fiction. 8-10)
Pub Date: Oct. 6, 1992
ISBN: 0-671-75910-8
Page Count: 53
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1992
This flawed volume in the Junior Library of American Indians series discusses the history and traditional lifestyle, practices, and attitudes of two closely linked tribes of the upper Midwest, the Sac and Fox. McDaniel (Stephen Hawking, 1994, not reviewed) makes special note of the role played by the embattled chief Black Hawk as white settlers moved West in the early 1800s, as well as- -later on—the achievements of athlete Jim Thorpe, while only cursory mention is made of modern life. An eight-page, full-color photo essay of artifacts from traditional life adds to the attractiveness of the book. Large type, ample white space, and the number of black-and-white photos and reproductions promote easy reading. Words found in the glossary—an idiosyncratic selection, from deliberately, to renegade, to neutral—are italicized, but are often defined by the context as well; also appearing in italics are words in quotations requiring emphasis, which is confusing. These quotes, interesting in themselves and serving to further the text, lack attribution; no sources are included. (map, chronology, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 8-10)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1995
ISBN: 0-7910-1670-6
Page Count: 80
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1995
A rural, pleasantly ramshackle garage is the setting for this lively book. Each spread features the station and its forecourt, with a flurry of activity accompanying each turn of the page: The garage opens up for the day; a bashed-in car arrives; a brief squall soaks a lady, her swain, and their tony convertible. Over it all presides Mr. Fingers, a harmlessly gangsterish type in striped trousers and white jacket. Dupasquier (Andy's Pirate Ship, 1994, etc.) keeps the text quick, simple, and hand-in-glove with the illustrations (``Mick and Mack start to work on Mr. Walker's car. Pete serves the first customer''). These watercolors are equally nimble, deliberately cartoonish in the linework and saturated colors. The front and rear flap covers fold out with an array of questions and puzzles pertaining to the story. Bright, boisterous, fun; for children who take to the format, there are two companion volumes: A Busy Day at the Airport (ISBN 1-56402-591-8) and A Busy Day at the Building Site (592-6). (Picture book. 4+)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 1996
ISBN: 1-56402-590-X
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 1995
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
