Despite a repetitive start, this debut packs a double punch modeling the experimental process while spotlighting an...
Loosely based on the life of Yi Sun-Sin, a Korean admiral in the 1500s, the story of an inquisitive boy who takes inspiration from his pet turtle to design an iconic battle ship.
Sun-Sin and his pet turtle, Gobugi, are introduced with somewhat copious use of their names: “Sun-sin and Gobugi relaxed in the garden. Gobugi snacked on lettuce while Sun-sin watched ships sail across the sea. Sun-sin would tell Gobugi how he wished to explore the world and visit different lands.” Thankfully both the plot and choice of pronouns quickly diversify when the king announces an open contest to design a new battleship, with a rich prize and a naval commission for the winner. Rhee economically narrates Sun-sin’s many trials and errors until the boy finally realizes the advantages of Gobugi’s natural adaptations and presents his ideas to court. Despite initial resistance and mockery, the royal court witness Gobugi’s natural defenses in action against a cat and commissions the titular Turtle Ship. The splendor of Kong-Savage’s paper collages adds to the storytelling with rich overlapping compositions and patterns. The subsequent successes of Adm. Yi Sun-Sin and his Turtle Ships are rendered beautifully in thoughtfully composed land- and seascapes.
Despite a repetitive start, this debut packs a double punch modeling the experimental process while spotlighting an intriguing historical figure and his warcraft. (afterword, author’s note, illustrator’s note) (Picture book. 6-9)Pub Date: June 5, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-88500-890-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Shen's Books/Lee & Low
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2018
Readers won’t want to wait to find out where the Dinotrux will go next.
The third in Gall’s crashing, smashing series takes the hot and grumpy Dinotrux on a vacation to the beach. What mayhem will ensue?
Anyone who has experienced the cooling relief of water in the hot summer will know exactly how these trucks feel cannonballing into the water, sinking beneath the waves, and squirting water out in a stream—the delight is plain in their headlights and grilles. And that’s not all that will be familiar: among other things, Digasaurus buries himself in the sand, Dumploducus unfortunately finds a nest of crabs, the Deliveradons have forgotten their sunscreen, and incontinent Cementosaurus gets bombed by sea gulls. The second half is taken up with the Dinotrux’s attempt at building a sand castle, a dismal failure until Tyrannosaurus Trux takes charge and gets everyone cooperating, each Dinotruck doing the job for which it was made (born?). In the process, the group saves tiny Scoopasaurus from a menacing threat and gives a cave couple some new digs. Gall’s penciled, digitally colored illustrations are sure to draw readers in, the Dinotrucks a masterful combination of childish enthusiasm and rough, tough machines. Pair this with Molly Idle’s Sea Rex for a prehistoric storytime sure to have listeners in stitches and looking for more dino fun.
Readers won’t want to wait to find out where the Dinotrux will go next. (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: June 2, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-316-37553-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: March 2, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2015
An idyllic picture, with a subtle bit of subtext for discussion if desired.
In search of his missing companion, a rabbit has to travel a long way and even face a dragon.
Shifting from airplane to car and then to boat, Rabbit is accompanied on his weary quest by, in turn, a flock of birds, a human king, assorted animals from the royal menagerie, and a school of fish—but all are soon diverted by meetings with others of their own kinds. Still, the two rabbits (both male) are reunited in the end after the lonely dragon who had kidnapped one is fitted out with a companion of her own. Using a limited palette that reflects the narrative’s spare prose, van der Linden places simply drawn and modeled figures against plain white or minimally detailed backgrounds. Identical in features and dress, the two kings hold hands as they “talk about kingly things.” In a final scene infused with similar intimacy, even the airplane, the car, and the setting sun are paired off (the last with its reflection in the sea) as the animals dance or stroll in couples across an island beach. It’s hard to imagine the child who will finish this book and not have questions, though they may range in many different directions.
An idyllic picture, with a subtle bit of subtext for discussion if desired. (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-935954-46-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Lemniscaat USA
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2015
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
