by George O'Connor & illustrated by George O'Connor ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2006
After mining the world of comics for his previous titles, O’Connor seems to have turned to old horror films for his latest inspiration. Granted, the Some-Thing doesn’t look exactly like the Creature from the Black Lagoon, but his fins and webbed feet evoke that particular monster, as does his upright stance. Sally, a red-haired moppet in overalls, is thrilled with the Some-Thing. She’s bored with her mom and younger sibling and the Some-Thing is decidedly “not boring!” Although their first efforts to play don’t work out, they eventually discover some mutually entertaining activities—a burping contest, for instance. O’Connor’s understated text creates a kind of deadpan humor combined with his colorful single- and double-page illustrations. Executed in what appears to be pen and ink and watercolor, the pictures have a charming cartoon feel. The woodsy setting with a small cozy cabin and lily-pad strewn pond provide a comforting counterpoint to the hilariously ominous appearance of the Some-Thing. The illustrations also feature plenty of quirky details to extend the story and entertain readers. In Sally’s words: “not boring!” (Picture book. 6-8)
Pub Date: April 1, 2006
ISBN: 1-59643-141-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Neal Porter/Roaring Brook
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2006
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adapted by Rachel Isadora & illustrated by Rachel Isadora ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2008
Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your dreads! Isadora once again plies her hand using colorful, textured collages to depict her fourth fairy tale relocated to Africa. The narrative follows the basic story line: Taken by an evil sorceress at birth, Rapunzel is imprisoned in a tower; Rapunzel and the prince “get married” in the tower and she gets pregnant. The sorceress cuts off Rapunzel’s hair and tricks the prince, who throws himself from the tower and is blinded by thorns. The terse ending states: “The prince led Rapunzel and their twins to his kingdom, where they were received with great joy and lived happily every after.” Facial features, clothing, dreadlocks, vultures and the prince riding a zebra convey a generic African setting, but at times, the mixture of patterns and textures obfuscates the scenes. The textile and grain characteristic of the hewn art lacks the elegant romance of Zelinksy’s Caldecott version. Not a first purchase, but useful in comparing renditions to incorporate a multicultural aspect. (Picture book/fairy tale. 6-8)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-399-24772-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2008
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by Helen Ketteman & illustrated by James Warhola ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 1997
A Cinderella parody features the off-the-wall, whang-dang Texas hyperbole of Ketteman (The Year of No More Corn, 1993, etc.) and the insouciance of Warhola, who proves himself only too capable of creating a fairy godcow; that she's so appealingly whimsical makes it easy to accept the classic tale's inversions. The protagonist is Bubba, appropriately downtrodden and overworked by his wicked stepdaddy and loathsome brothers Dwayne and Milton, who spend their days bossing him around. The other half of the happy couple is Miz Lurleen, who owns ``the biggest spread west of the Brazos.'' She craves male companionship to help her work the place, ``and it wouldn't hurt if he was cute as a cow's ear, either.'' There are no surprises in this version except in the hilarious way the premise plays itself out and in Warhola's delightful visual surprises. When Lurleen tracks the bootless Bubba down, ``Dwayne and Milton and their wicked daddy threw chicken fits.'' Bubba and babe, hair as big as a Texas sun, ride off to a life of happy ranching, and readers will be proud to have been along for the courtship. (Picture book/folklore. 6-8)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1997
ISBN: 0-590-25506-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1997
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by Helen Ketteman ; illustrated by Bonnie Leick
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by Helen Ketteman ; illustrated by Nate Wragg
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