This cautionary tale from Oram (Just Dog, 1998, etc.) has a lot of wit and sparkle, coming to a breathless close almost before it’s begun. Princess Chamomile, a nice young mouse, is overprotected by her Nannie Nettle, who forbids her to leave the palace grounds, to eat candy, etc. When Chamomile has had enough of this nonsense, she runs away to the nearest candy store, run by a bad cat named Bags-Eye, who promptly considers her kidnapped. He demands she write a ransom note, since he can’t read or write; she agrees, for the price of candy. Chamomile uses the note to explain her predicament and is duly rescued, though not before making herself sick on candy. Readers learn, in rapid succession, that candy is not bad, though too much of it is; that those things that are forbidden turn into never-ending temptations; and that there are consequences to pay for any act. Such lessons can’t undercut the charm of this tale; Varley’s watercolors are attractive and pleasing and add generously to the antic proceedings. (Picture book. 3-9)
Pub Date: May 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-525-46148-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1999
Bishop’s spectacular photographs of the tiny red-eyed tree frog defeat an incidental text from Cowley (Singing Down the Rain, 1997, etc.). The frog, only two inches long, is enormous in this title; it appears along with other nocturnal residents of the rain forests of Central America, including the iguana, ant, katydid, caterpillar, and moth. In a final section, Cowley explains how small the frog is and aspects of its life cycle. The main text, however, is an afterthought to dramatic events in the photos, e.g., “But the red-eyed tree frog has been asleep all day. It wakes up hungry. What will it eat? Here is an iguana. Frogs do not eat iguanas.” Accompanying an astonishing photograph of the tree frog leaping away from a boa snake are three lines (“The snake flicks its tongue. It tastes frog in the air. Look out, frog!”) that neither advance nor complement the action. The layout employs pale and deep green pages and typeface, and large jewel-like photographs in which green and red dominate. The combination of such visually sophisticated pages and simplistic captions make this a top-heavy, unsatisfying title. (Picture book. 7-9)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-590-87175-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999
Baker (Big Fat Hen, 1994, etc.) engages in more number play, posing ducklings in every combination of groups, e.g., “Splashing as they leap and dive/7 ducklings, 2 plus 5.” Using a great array of streaked and dappled papers, Baker creates a series of leafy collage scenes for the noisy, exuberant ducklings to fill, tucking in an occasional ladybug or other small creature for sharp-eyed pre-readers to spot. Children will regretfully wave goodbye as the ducks fly off in neat formation at the end of this brief, painless introduction to several basic math concepts. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-292858-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999
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