British author/illustrator Newton (Where Are My Chicks, 2002, etc.) makes a splash in this tale about fitting in without fitting the mold. “Bored, bored, bored!” says Claude the shark. But his seafaring friends can’t quite believe it. “How can you possibly be bored when there’s so much gardening to do?” they ask. Thickly applied, textured portraits in tropical tones of lemon yellow, plum purple, and seaweed green reflect the underwater activity: first the sea creatures rake, then they prune and plant. Claude reluctantly joins in but abruptly leaves when it’s time to water the flowers. Somehow, he must sense the absurdity: “ ‘No!’ [snaps] Claude. ‘I’m bored and I’m going home.’ ” But for his friends, the blooming garden—with a manicured hedge and a fountain shaped like a fish—is a cause for celebration. Newton’s busy full-bleed portrait pictures the oceanic event. Meanwhile, Claude stays home sulking. That is, until he figures out a way to join in the fun by baking a magnificent cake to give as a gift. “ ‘You made this?’ they ask in admiration. ‘It must have taken ages!’ ‘It was no trouble,’ Claude responds. ‘I enjoyed doing it.’ ” So snack-maker he’ll be while the others garden. Newton’s dry humor will appeal to parents and teachers eager to teach a lesson and squelch a familiar lament; young readers will soak it up like a sponge. (Picture book. 2-6)
Pub Date: July 1, 2002
ISBN: 1-58234-760-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2002
A young boy wonders aloud to a rabbit friend what he will be when he grows up and imagines some outrageous choices. “Puddle stomper,” “bubble gum popper,” “mixing-bowl licker,” “baby-sis soother” are just some of the 24 inspiringly creative vocations Spinelli’s young dreamer envisions in this pithy rhymed account. Aided by Liao’s cleverly integrated full-bleed mixed-media illustrations, which radiate every hue of the rainbow, and dynamic typesetting with words that swoop and dive, the author’s perspective on this adult-inspired question yields some refreshingly child-oriented answers. Given such an irresistible array of options—“So many jobs! / They’re all such fun”—the boy in the end decides, in an exuberant double gatefold, “I’m going to choose… / EVERY ONE!”—a conclusion befitting a generation expected to have more than six careers each. Without parents or peers around to corral this carefree child’s dreams, the possibilities of being whatever one wants appear both limitless and attainable. An inspired take on a timeless question. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: March 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-316-16226-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: April 14, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2010
Through quick thinking and personal sacrifice, a wise old Japanese farmer saves the people of his village from a devastating tsunami in this simple yet striking story based on Lafcadio Hearn’s “A Living God.” Ojiisan lives in a cottage on a mountain overlooking the village and sea. One day, villagers gather to celebrate the rice harvest, but Ojiisan stays home thinking “something does not feel right.” When the earth quakes and the sea darkens and runs away from the land, Ojiisan realizes a tsunami approaches. Fearing the oblivious villagers will be swept away, Ojiisan torches his rice fields to attract attention, and they respond, barely escaping the monster wave. Rendered in gouache, pastel and collage, Young’s illustrations cleverly combine natural textures, bold colors and abstract shapes to convey compelling images of chaos and disaster as the rice fields burn and the wave rushes in. In one literally breathtaking double-page spread, an enormous wall of water engulfs the teeny seacoast village. A visually powerful and dramatic tribute to one man’s willingness to sacrifice everything for others. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-399-25006-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2008
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2024 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.
bookshelf
