by Donna L. Washington ; illustrated by Lauren Emmons ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 12, 2023
Unrewarding sentiment.
An upside-down take on a classic tale.
There are three pig siblings, a parental challenge, and questions about housing stability. But in this inverted tale, the three pigs’ father decides that he wants to go off to see the world and will leave the family home to whichever one of his children can “fill it up.” He, unfairly, never defines what it means to fill a house, so the eldest pig brother, muscly Mo, tries to fill it with straw, and the fashion-obsessed middle brother, Bo, tries to fill it with feathers. Cozy images of smiling anthropomorphic brown pigs depict their attempts. When those materials settle, leaving a gap below the roof, the youngest sister, Prak (short for Practical), tries her hoof. She throws a goodbye party for Poppa Pig, filling the house with merriment, and these intangibles seem to do the trick. Unnecessary clunky rhymes, like “I’ll fill the house! / Fill it up fine! / When I fill the house, / it will be mine” and “I filled the house / without straw or a feather / If you want to fill a house / celebrate together,” pound home the heavy-handed message that friendship and family are important. Though Poppa Pig declares Prak the winner, the three siblings inherit the house together after she selflessly points out that they had already filled the house with memories. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Unrewarding sentiment. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2023
ISBN: 9781682635650
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: June 8, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2023
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by Donna L. Washington & illustrated by Stephen Taylor
by Craig Smith ; illustrated by Katz Cowley ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2010
Hee haw.
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The print version of a knee-slapping cumulative ditty.
In the song, Smith meets a donkey on the road. It is three-legged, and so a “wonky donkey” that, on further examination, has but one eye and so is a “winky wonky donkey” with a taste for country music and therefore a “honky-tonky winky wonky donkey,” and so on to a final characterization as a “spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey.” A free musical recording (of this version, anyway—the author’s website hints at an adults-only version of the song) is available from the publisher and elsewhere online. Even though the book has no included soundtrack, the sly, high-spirited, eye patch–sporting donkey that grins, winks, farts, and clumps its way through the song on a prosthetic metal hoof in Cowley’s informal watercolors supplies comical visual flourishes for the silly wordplay. Look for ready guffaws from young audiences, whether read or sung, though those attuned to disability stereotypes may find themselves wincing instead or as well.
Hee haw. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: May 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-545-26124-1
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 28, 2018
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by Craig Smith ; illustrated by Katz Cowley
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by Doug MacLeod ; illustrated by Craig Smith
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by Adam Osterweil and illustrated by Craig Smith
by Maren Morris & Karina Argow ; illustrated by Kelly Anne Dalton ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 9, 2024
Young readers will be “antsy” to join the hero on her satisfying escapade.
An ant explores her world.
Addie Ant’s ready for adventure. Despite some trepidation about leaving the Tomato Bed, where she lives with her aunt, she plucks up her courage and ventures forth across the garden to the far side of the shed. On her journey, she meets her pal Lewis Ladybug, who greets her warmly, points the way, and offers sage advice. When Addie arrives at her destination, she’s welcomed by lovely Beatrix Butterfly and enjoys an “ant-tastic” helping of watermelon. Beatrix also provides Addie with take-home treats and a map for the “Cricket Express,” which will take her straight home. Arriving at the terminal, Addie’s delighted to meet another friend, Cleo Cricket, whose carriage service returns Addie home in “two hops.” After eating a warm tomato soup dinner, Addie falls asleep and dreams of future exploits. Adorable though not terribly original, this story brims with sensuous pleasures, both textual and visual. Kids who declare that they dislike fruits or veggies may find their mouths watering at the mentions and sights of luscious tomatoes, peas, beans, watermelons, berries, and other foodstuffs; insect-averse readers may likewise think differently after encountering these convivial, wide-eyed characters. And those flowers and herbs everywhere! The highlights are the colors that burst from the pages. Addie’s an endearing, empowering character who reassures children they’ll be able to take those first independent steps successfully.
Young readers will be “antsy” to join the hero on her satisfying escapade. (author’s note about ants) (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 9, 2024
ISBN: 9781797228914
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2024
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