Perfect for gift shops across Philadelphia. Less so for readers.
Explore the beginnings of America’s first circulating library with Ben and Billy Franklin.
In 1739, William “Billy” Franklin, son of printer (and future statesman) Benjamin Franklin, starts his studies in earnest with a tutor. Joining Billy’s (somewhat reluctant) academic endeavors is his cousin James. While James is bored with the tutor’s stories, Billy’s imagination goes wild picturing the tales from long ago. Seeing his son’s delight, Ben introduces Billy to the Leather Apron Club library, a library founded by 12 tradesmen like Ben who value education and learning. It’s through this story that readers are introduced to what eventually grew into the first library open to members of the public (provided those members could pay the subscription fee, as the backmatter points out). Billy narrates the meandering story, which may be of more interest to adults than the intended audience. “The men debate Politics and History and Books. / They drink Cider, eat Cake, and debate more— / Mathematics and Geography and Finance. / Though the discussion is above me, / I feel as if I am in Heaven,” he rhapsodizes. The static watercolor illustrations of the virtually all-White cast do little to entice readers. The backmatter does an admirable job summarizing Franklin’s fraught relationship with an adult Billy and addresses his complex relationship with slavery.
Perfect for gift shops across Philadelphia. Less so for readers. (bibliography) (Picture book. 8-10)Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-58089-719-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
A rather obscure human-interest story that, while beautifully illustrated, is not very enlightening on the topic of Mark...
The story of Mark Twain as a newly widowed, grieving, 69-year-old man holed up in his Manhattan apartment in 1904 is frankly a peculiar subject for a children’s picture book.
Granted, there’s a black cat named Bambino to capture the attention of younger readers, but will the picture-book set be familiar enough with Twain to appreciate this morose glimpse into the twilight years of “sad old Samuel Clemens”? Twain did own a cat named Bambino. True story: When Bambino escaped from an open window, the devastated Twain put a “LOST: MARK TWAIN’S CAT” ad in the paper and offered a reward for his safe return… a move that spawned such a heartwarming public response (and influx of cats) that he cast off his housecoats and rejoined the world in his legendary white suit. (As for whether Bambino was really responsible for that, the author says, “Only Sam and Bambino would know.”) The lugubrious tale is captured commendably in atmospheric, expertly composed mixed-media and digital illustrations, often of the scowling, long-faced Twain in various slumped positions. Unusual perspectives add visual variety and effectively highlight the apparent bond between the bereft author and his cat.
A rather obscure human-interest story that, while beautifully illustrated, is not very enlightening on the topic of Mark Twain, mourning the death of a loved one nor cats. A puzzler. (author’s note, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 8-10)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-58089-272-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
Disappointingly bland fare, this might please enthusiastic animal lovers or parents who prefer squeaky-clean stories but...
Seemingly plucked from a middle-of–last-century bookshelf, this wholesome tale of a spunky fifth-grade girl’s experiences in rural Nevada has a paint-by-numbers feel that keeps it from living up to the author’s illustrious reputation.
Readers meet Ivy as she bikes up a hill to visit her friend Annie, stopping along the way to rescue a turtle that’s been run over. While Annie and Ivy’s relationship plays a role in the plot, Ivy’s love of animals and dreams for the future quickly become the focus. Looking for a way to earn some money, Ivy decides to offer her services as an animal sitter. While life was likely simpler in 1949, at least in some ways, the ease with which Ivy finds jobs and the local vet’s trust in her abilities (he allows her to give a wild fox an injection) will both seem a mite unlikely to contemporary readers. A pesky neighbor boy creates some unexpected problems, but overall, it’s smooth sailing with an especially happy ending (no dead dogs here). Although the tone is spot-on, with endearingly folksy dialogue and an innocent worldview, the contrived plot and limited character development will likely keep readers from caring much about Ivy.
Disappointingly bland fare, this might please enthusiastic animal lovers or parents who prefer squeaky-clean stories but will leave most other readers wishing for more. (Historical fiction. 8-10)Pub Date: Feb. 26, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5352-1
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2013
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