The perennial home/away/from/home theme takes a canine twist in this blustery tale of best friends separated. Sally and her aptly named dog Scoot play together every day in their big, fenced-in backyard. The hyperactive Scoot loves chasing things. One day he chases a red balloon over the fence, landing alone in the “big wild world.” Forgetting Sally, the exuberant Scoot runs over hill and dale, pursing sheep, fleeing from seagulls, and arriving on top of the world in “his best chase ever.” But when the wind dies, a deflated Scoot suddenly feels lost and lonely, until a voice on the wind calls him back home to a euphoric reunion in Sally’s arms. Fresh rainbow-hued acrylic and mixed-media illustrations convey a strong sense of movement through the use of flowing, swirling lines. Readers almost see and feel the wind whirl and whip Scoot across the pages of this fast-paced yet reassuring story. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: July 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-7636-2375-X
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2004
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Though it is light on specific information about how and why teeth are lost, most children will enjoy relating to Bear in...
Wilson and Chapman continue this popular series that began with Bear Snores On (2002).
Bear has invited his friends for lunch, when “something wiggled, and it wobbled…something moved when he chewed! It was… / Bear’s / loose / tooth!” In full-bleed spreads with a palette dominated by blues and greens, Chapman ably portrays Bear’s concern over this dental dilemma as well as the genuine empathy and determination of his many animal friends when they try to help remove the tooth. On several pages Bear looks right at readers as he reacts to his predicament, bringing them immediately into the story. After Hare, Mouse, Wren, Owl, Badger and others all fail at prying it loose, Bear “used his tongue and…gave a little nudge” until it falls out. A fairy comes as Bear sleeps and leaves “blueberries where Bear’s tooth had been!” Wilson keeps young readers engaged with rhyming text that keeps the gentle action flowing.
Though it is light on specific information about how and why teeth are lost, most children will enjoy relating to Bear in his latest oh-so-cozy adventure. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 30, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4169-5855-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: July 5, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2011
An adorable small volume is just the right size for little hands and says just the right words for little voices. A line of animal children—Little Brown Puppy, Snowy White Kitten, Clever Little Monkey, and so on, each want to give their mama a present. Each finds just the right thing: carrots for Soft Little Rabbit’s mama; a big leaf for Tiny Frog’s mama; and a daisy chain for Little Pink Piglet’s mama. The only rhyme in the simple rhythmic text comes when the child gives the gift: “This strawberry’s so red and sweet. / It’s for you and me and Dad to eat,” says Little Turtle. Each mama responds with a similar refrain: “I love the strawberry, my Little Turtle, and I love you.” It ends with Billy, who knows what his mama wants: a kiss, a hug—and a “very special bug.” Sweet’s limpid and winsome images, in bright washes of color, balance the text without being cloying. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-439-45086-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2003
© 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.
