In generous, Mother-Goose-style format, more than 100 verses, mostly traditional but including a few by the likes of Lear and Belloc. Animals are featured here, creatively grouped by species or bizarre behavior. Clark's witty illustrations are just right—her round-eyed characters are amazed observers of their own antics, the serene watercolor backgrounds make an ironic contrast to the lively action. A delightful compilation, handsomely presented. Index. (Poetry/Picture book. 3-8)
Pub Date: April 1, 1991
ISBN: 0-316-14500-9
Page Count: 93
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1991
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A tall-tale introduction to the ``King of the Keelboatmen,'' from the time he ran away from home at the age of two days to his literally explosive confrontation with steamboat captain Hilton B. Blathersby. The historical Fink was a cruel man who came to a violent end, but Kellogg depicts him as a friendly-looking, fun-loving youth; indeed, nearly all of the keelboatmen here- -black, white, old, and young—are smiling, clean-cut types, rather at odds with their usual roughneck image. Though Fink spends much of his time wrestling men or bears, Kellogg's description of him seems bland in comparison to his glowing, energetic illustrations, and less heroic than his other legendary figures. (Picture book/Folktale. 6-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 21, 1992
ISBN: 0-688-07003-5
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1992
Hooray! Max is back, again giving bossy older sister Ruby her comeuppance just by going his own sweet, imperturbable way. Ruby has just five dollars to buy Max a pair of much-needed pants. Max remarks quietly that he prefers a dragon shirt; Ruby points out in her usual tactless manner that Mother's directions were explicit and there won't be enough money. Then she gets involved in trying on dresses; Max doses off, wakes, wanders down to Boys' Sportswear and tries on the coveted shirt, finds himself lost, and is comforted by two policemen and some multicolored ice cream, which he gets all over the shirt...Meanwhile, Ruby finally misses him, pursues her own distraught itinerary, and arrives to find that the shirt is now Max's by default. Deliciously witty, with Wells also capturing every nuance- -and satirizing the department store and its denizens—in her delightful illustrations. Totally satisfying. (Picture book. 3-8)
Pub Date: May 1, 1991
ISBN: 0-8037-0944-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1991
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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