“Every mammal sighting in a swamp is a surprise,” notes Arnosky as he takes the reader and viewer exploring. The well-known science author/illustrator once again proves himself a helpful wildlife guide. In similar adventures, with the help of his alter ego, Crinkleroot, Arnosky has introduced birds, mammals, trees, butterflies, snakes, and a host of other wildlife. Here, he combines pen-and-ink sketches from his travel journal, and more elaborate full-color acrylic paintings to show the reader and viewer the swamp as he sees it. The brief text boxes embedded in the paintings engage the reader and captures the moment, pointing out how a snake bird swims underwater to spear fish, or how the mangrove crab climbs high into the mangrove tree to escape predators. The paintings, often with unusual perspectives, invite the viewer to experience the swamp along with the artist. For example, one double-page layout presents on the center fold the smooth gray trunk of an enormous tree, rising from the mirrored surface of the swamp, from one side pokes the head of a white heron, the rest of the bird is hidden from view except for one stilt-like brown leg and a fringe of white tail feathers. Another painting has the viewer eyeball to eyeball with a huge gray-green alligator. His palette includes some paintings set in the murky twilight; others capture an unreal orchid-pink dusk, or an orange-gold sunset, with wildlife a near black shadow against the orange sky and water. A first look at an unusual habitat and some of its inhabitants. (Nonfiction. 6-10)
Pub Date: Oct. 31, 2000
ISBN: 0-688-17119-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2000
This outing lacks the sophistication of such category standards as Clementine; here’s hoping English amps things up for...
A gentle voice and familiar pitfalls characterize this tale of a boy navigating the risky road to responsibility.
Gavin is new to his neighborhood and Carver Elementary. He likes his new friend, Richard, and has a typically contentious relationship with his older sister, Danielle. When Gavin’s desire to impress Richard sets off a disastrous chain of events, the boy struggles to evade responsibility for his actions. “After all, it isn’t his fault that Danielle’s snow globe got broken. Sure, he shouldn’t have been in her room—but then, she shouldn’t be keeping candy in her room to tempt him. Anybody would be tempted. Anybody!” opines Gavin once he learns the punishment for his crime. While Gavin has a charming Everyboy quality, and his aversion to Aunt Myrtle’s yapping little dog rings true, little about Gavin distinguishes him from other trouble-prone protagonists. He is, regrettably, forgettable. Coretta Scott King Honor winner English (Francie, 1999) is a teacher whose storytelling usually benefits from her day job. Unfortunately, the pizzazz of classroom chaos is largely absent from this series opener.
This outing lacks the sophistication of such category standards as Clementine; here’s hoping English amps things up for subsequent volumes. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: Dec. 17, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-547-97044-8
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: Oct. 1, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Lively fun with animal friends.
Has Plum’s pep deserted him?
Several animals from the Athensville Zoo are on their way to visit an elementary school. Overconfident Itch the ningbing (an Australian marsupial), unaware that zookeeper Lizzie will be doing all the talking, looks forward to “lecturing eager young minds.” Plum, the usually chipper peacock, on the other hand, is anxious—maybe the schoolchildren won’t like him or he’ll get lost. So when they arrive at the school to find the students have been sent home due to a blizzard, Plum is relieved. The animals are left in a school gym for the night until three self-important class mice free them. Itch heads for the library to meet the learned turtle, but Plum reluctantly explores with his friends. When his anxiety peaks, they reassure him, and when the mice reject Meg, another peacock, as “borrrring” and uncool, they buoy her as well before everyone comes together to save Itch, who finds himself outside and stranded in a snowdrift. Unlike Leave It to Plum (2022), this is not a mystery, and the relationship focus shifts from Lizzie to the rodents, but the pace is brisk, and sequel seekers will be pleased to revisit familiar characters (if dismayed that Itch’s longing for knowledge leads to his downfall). In Phelan’s engaging grayscale pen-and-wash illustrations, Lizzie has short curly hair; text and art cue her as Latine.
Lively fun with animal friends. (how to draw Plum) (Chapter book. 7-10)Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-06-307920-5
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
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