A gifted British author-illustrator continues the saga of a cheerful toddler and his toy monkey, first met in four titles in 1988. When they go shopping, Tom keeps asking for things for Pippo to eat (a bit of cheese, a plum), but then eats it all himself while poor Pippo's face alternately registers hope and resignation. In the garden, Tom's care for Pippo parallels his mother's for him. When—on the night of a full moon—Dad tells Tom about rockets, he imagines going to the moon with Dad and Pippo (this will make a fine prequel to Barton's I Want to Be an Astronaut). And on a day when Daddy goes to work, Tom is also so busy that he forgets where Pippo is; fortunately, he finds him again, because "when it's time to go to sleep, I need to be with Pippo." Tom is lucky to live in the nurturing family Oxenbury depicts with such warmth; his creative play with his beloved friend reflects his own security and capacity for healthy growth. The illustrations here are masterpieces of simplicity: a few soft lines convey nuances of character and feelings, composition combines lively action with stable designs reinforcing the sense of Tom's security, and there is a good variety of details, well chosen to interest the toddler audience. Eight of these charming little books is not too many!
Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: 0689712782
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1989
Trisha is ready to start at a new school, where no one will know she has dyslexia. At first, she is heartbroken to be in Miss Peterson’s special-ed class, aka, “the junkyard.” But Miss Peterson treats the children as anything but junk, showing them that everyone has a unique talent. Polacco’s trademark style is fully present here; her sensitively drawn alter ego shines with depth of feeling. When bullying occurs, Miss Peterson proves her students are worthwhile by planning a junkyard field trip, where they find valuable objects to be used in exciting ways. Trisha’s group repairs a plane, and the class buys an engine for it. Then a beloved class member dies, and the children must find a way to honor him. While the plot meanders somewhat, the characters are appealing, believable and provide a fine portrayal of a truly special class. Children will be drawn in by the story’s warmth and gentle humor and will leave with a spark of inspiration, an appreciation of individual differences and a firm anti-bullying message, all underscored by the author’s note that concludes the book. (Picture book. 7-10)
Pub Date: July 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-399-25078-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2010
This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom.
Holy bedtime, Batman!
In a sleepy-looking neighborhood under a dusky cerulean sky, a young, brown-haired, white boy goes through the motions of getting ready for bed: he brushes his teeth, takes a bath, picks up his toys, and feeds his fish. In a parallel visual narrative, beckoned by the cat's-eye–yellow bat-signal, Batman keeps Gotham safe for another night by catching crooks, locking them away, and avenging those who have been wronged. Though the two characters are quite different, through a carefully flexible narrative, Dahl and Beavers weave a convincing tale of just how similar they might be. “It’s time to take care of business” describes the child’s trip to the potty and Batman’s dive down a manhole equally well, for instance. Beavers' art is visually striking and vibrantly hued, perfect for keeping young eyes glued to each page. Dahl's economical text is cadenced with a gentle lilt, just right for a bedtime read-aloud. Young fans of the caped crusader will delight in spying their favorite characters. In the already-overstuffed bedtime-book market, this is certainly a niche read, but it hits its mark well, delivering fun without darkness. A “bedtime checklist” at the end aptly includes “story time.”
This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom. (Picture book. 3-8)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-62370-732-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2016
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