When Grizzorka the witch “catnaps” Grandmother Katt’s cat, Tabithia, Grandmother decides to get her cat back, with the help of some creepy, but intrepid pals—Bat, Frog, and Spider, who have their own reasons for retaliation. The witch tries to defeat her enemies by throwing them down a deep hole, locking Tabithia in a cage, and tossing the key to the bottom of the lake. The spider’s spinning skills, the frog’s swimming abilities, and the bat’s radar all play crucial roles in helping Grandmother Katt through her ordeals. Grizzorka retreats in despair and the four friends rejoice with a Halloween bash. This fun tale mentions scary things but won’t frighten children, in part because its cheery, bold colors liven up the deep holes, dark caves, and other spooky scenes. (Picture book. 3-7)
Pub Date: Sept. 15, 1999
ISBN: 0-8234-1395-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
Hillenbrand takes license with the familiar song (the traditional words and music are reproduced at the end) to tell an enchanting story about baby animals picked up by the train and delivered to the children’s zoo. The full-color drawings are transportingly jolly, while the catchy refrain—“See the engine driver pull his little lever”—is certain to delight readers. Once the baby elephant, flamingo, panda, tiger, seal, and kangaroo are taken to the zoo by the train, the children—representing various ethnic backgrounds, and showing one small girl in a wheelchair—arrive. This is a happy book, filled with childhood exuberance. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-201804-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
That Bynum comes up with so many lines to rhyme with “Altoona Baboona” deserves some kind of acclaim, even if the rhymes make readers laugh and groan at the same time. Altoona Baboona is an ape that “gets bored on her dune-a,” hops a “hot air balloon-a” and goes south to “Calcun-a.” On her hot air travels Altoona meets up with a loon-a and a racoon-a, who come back to the dune-a for an evening bonfire and roasted marshmallows. Bynum’s watercolors have a breezy ocean air feel to them, as light and buoyant as her simian heroine. (Picture book. 2-6)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-201860-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
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