Murphy’s lovable little monster, Marlon (The Last Noo-Noo, 1995) returns in a heartfelt and ultimately triumphant tale about being excluded. Weary of playing alone, Marlon eagerly approaches the neighborhood children to join their games. However, while the trio may have such hilarious names such as Alligantina and Boomps-a-Daisy, their actions are not so amusing. Each time Marlon attempts to participate, the children abruptly change the venue, moving from Musketeers to Pirates to gymnastics in rapid succession. After several episodes of being deliberately left out of the play, Marlon hits upon the very idea to soothe his wounded self-esteem. Murphy’s shrewd tale illuminates a grievous yet common childhood dilemma and the elemental truth that is at the heart of this matter. Marlon’s determination to make his own fun has wondrous results; soon the trio is longingly watching Marlon frolic in his backyard “ocean” and eager to participate in his play. The crisp lines and vibrant tones of Murphy’s pen and colored-pencil illustrations make a vivid impact. Her detailed, imaginative drawings of the monsters add a comical flair to the tale, balancing out the poignancy and of the situation. Astutely conveying a vital life lesson with aplomb while avoiding any treacly sentimentalism, this is definitely to be shared with any child navigating the rocky waters of peer relations. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2002
ISBN: 0-7636-0785-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2002
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Continuing to find inspiration in the work of Virginia Lee Burton, Munro Leaf and other illustrators of the past, Long (The Little Engine That Could, 2005) offers an aw-shucks friendship tale that features a small but hardworking tractor (“putt puff puttedy chuff”) with a Little Toot–style face and a big-eared young descendant of Ferdinand the bull who gets stuck in deep, gooey mud. After the big new yellow tractor, crowds of overalls-clad locals and a red fire engine all fail to pull her out, the little tractor (who had been left behind the barn to rust after the arrival of the new tractor) comes putt-puff-puttedy-chuff-ing down the hill to entice his terrified bovine buddy successfully back to dry ground. Short on internal logic but long on creamy scenes of calf and tractor either gamboling energetically with a gaggle of McCloskey-like geese through neutral-toned fields or resting peacefully in the shade of a gnarled tree (apple, not cork), the episode will certainly draw nostalgic adults. Considering the author’s track record and influences, it may find a welcome from younger audiences too. (Picture book. 5-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-399-25248-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2009
SEEN & HEARD
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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