Handsome wildlife paintings distinguish this book from McDonnell (I Love Animals, 1994, etc.). The setting is India in the summer, and, predictably, it’s “hot, hot, hot!” A mother elephant and her baby, a tiger, and a rhinoceros are all feeling the heat. Tongues loll, movement is limited; they barely shuffle to the wallow. Once there, they stand around until the baby elephant has an idea. He loads up and squirts a snootful at his mother; soon, all the animals are engaged in a splash fight that delights as much as it refreshes. McDonnell’s animals have a mythopoetic radiance, painted in colors that will have readers reaching for a cool drink. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: June 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7626-0481-X
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1999
Calamity, a camel with a peevish attitude about her life in a caravan, trades in her heavy packs for a colder climate and skis and soon yearns for her former life. It becomes quite clear that camels were not designed for snowy slopes. When perfection isn’t achieved in Calamity’s new habitat, the old woes inherent in carrying burdens through the desert seem far less tiresome the second time around. It’s a particularly easy lesson, learned without fuss or tension, depicted in Busby’s cartoonish illustrations. Readers will enjoy one go-around, but this story from Simon (see review, above) is probably too one-note and simplistic for repeat readings. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1999
ISBN: 1-899607-59-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sterling
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
In a rhythmic and prayer-like text, DeMunn asks children to appreciate the beauty and goodness of nature, of which they are an integral part: “The earth is good. The trees are good. The flowers, the birds and bees are good.” The unity of all things is emphasized through the brilliantly colored illustrations which sometimes project aspects of the landscape onto both the boy’s clothing and his limbs. The simple text, with its concluding statement—“and you are good”—not only reinforces the story’s uplifting theme, but it leads children to a fuller understanding of their role in the world while fostering a healthy respect for its treasures. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-590-35010-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999
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