In this debut children’s picture book, American and Scottish teachers trade classes and find that the English language isn’t the same everywhere—and hilarious misunderstandings ensue.
Author Warmouth, a Seattle teacher who switched classrooms with a teacher in Edinburgh, Scotland, under a Fulbright exchange program, here presents two rhyming books in one. First, she tells the story of an American teacher, Miss Cue, who runs into unexpected problems when she takes over Miss Queue’s class in Scotland: “Let’s start out with spelling—so easy you’ll pass! / Please take out your notebooks and erasers dear class.” The students are mystified until one suggests that she means them to take out their “jotters and rubbers,” and Miss Cue is soon alarmed when they apparently misspell every word on the test; the illustration shows one pupil’s paper with words such as “colour,” “centre,” “practise” and “grey” crossed out and “corrected.” The cartoony art clarifies the situations throughout, and some mix-ups will make children snicker: “May I wash in the toilet?” Thomas asked with a twinkle. / ‘Heavens, no!’ Miss Cue squealed. ‘Toilets are only for tinkle!’ ” Adults, however, may squirm at the bathroom humor and, in spots, at the irregular rhythm and forced rhyme. But when the Scottish pupils take over, the rhyme snaps to attention: “The trunk is the boot, while a boot is a welly. / A wallet’s a purse and a TV’s a telly. / Now really, Miss Cue! Enough of this blether! / It’s time you learn Scottish. We’ll do it together!” The story then switches to Miss Queue’s class in Seattle—and the page numbers start over from 1. The reader, now armed with definitions from the first “book” (including the fact that diapers are called “nappies” in Scotland), can understand Miss Queue’s dilemmas. “John let loose a yawn and asked for a nappy. / The thought of him skipping the loo made Miss Queue quite unhappy! / Politely she said, ‘This school hasn’t a shower. / Please go to the toilet before messing your trousers.’ ” Again, her students come to the rescue: “Please just say bathroom—not toilet or loo.” Younger elementary school students will enjoy this book’s mostly clever wordplay while broadening their worldview.
Pub Date: June 7, 2013
ISBN: 978-1479210459
Page Count: 66
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: July 17, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2013
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
The simple, engaging premise works again.
The latest installment of this children’s book series introduces kids to the culture, geography and traditions of Norway.
Roman’s latest book follows the same formula as the first three books in her series, A Child’s Introduction to Cultures Around the World, which previously took kids to Mexico, France and South Korea. Written in the second person, Roman’s book invites young readers to come along with her on a tour of the country and to imagine experiencing a different life. This time, she turns her attention to Norway and the Scandinavian country’s cuisine, sports and language. She begins with a map of the country, noting its location on the globe as well as the nation’s capital, before describing landforms and geography. Once she’s situated kids in the country, it’s time to learn about local traditions and customs. While on vacation, “You would also go snowmobiling, ice fishing, and on dogsled trips.” The activities should help work up an appetite for “an open faced sandwich with either shrimp or chicken called a smørbrød. A vafler topped with krem, which is a waffle with cream on it, would be the perfect way to finish your meal.” Roman also mentions that the country’s major holiday, Syttende Mai, celebrates Norwegian independence on May 17 and includes a parade. The story also makes kids stop and think—“When the shopkeeper says ‘Thank You,’ you would respond, ‘Din velkommen.’ Can you guess what that means?”—and at the end of the book, a pronunciation guide will help kids learn how to say Norwegian words. Like the first three books in the series, this text provides a great overview of a likely unfamiliar culture for kids. The colorful illustrations, such as a picture of the Syttende Mai parade, a smorgasbord with different traditional dishes and a dogsled led by huskies, can help kids better envision what they’re reading. This title, as well as other books in the series, would be worthwhile for teachers to keep in the classrooms or for parents to help introduce their children to cultures of the world.
The simple, engaging premise works again.Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2013
ISBN: 978-1481979948
Page Count: 30
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: Nov. 26, 2013
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Adults may be impressed with the packed pages of this picture book, but toddlers will most likely love its multicolored,...
A hippo travels through a Seussian dreamland in this colorfully illustrated, silly bedtime story for young readers.
In this bedtime romp, pediatric emergency physician Nager (Angels in Action, 2010) teams with debut author Leon and artist Trujillo to introduce a hippo who dreams of crazy animals and wacky machines. When hippo Hoopy Doopy goes to bed, his real adventures begin. After several pages celebrating the wondrous land that fills Hoopy’s dreams, a fun two-page spread with a numeric countdown welcomes readers into dreamland. Full of ice cream, spotted elephants, airplanes with popcorn for wings and cotton candy clouds, Hoopy’s dreams are presented as a list of absurd items that rhyme. There is no plot here, just a series of goofy ideas that may give readers a giggle. The rhyme pattern is solidly presented, and the meter is strong. The illustrations occasionally look like a blend of Dr. Seuss-like images, such as the purple pigs in a yellow tree, with clip art. Trujillo repeats some images identically—Hoopy appears in bed in the first image, with a full repeat of the same on the last page, and clips of a portion of the image occur elsewhere in the book. During the dream sequences, the many unique ideas and creatures featured clutter the illustrations and don’t give children time to dwell on any particular strange animal. Still, the fun factor, absurd humor and bright colors should appeal to young readers.
Adults may be impressed with the packed pages of this picture book, but toddlers will most likely love its multicolored, imaginary animals.Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2013
ISBN: 978-0615793238
Page Count: 26
Publisher: CHLA
Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2013
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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