The Prince of Palindromia offers a third collection, nearly all of which, he writes, “grew (very slowly) out of my brain.” Every palindrome appears as either the punchline or caption to a page-sized pen-and-ink cartoon that provides explanatory visual cues: “Red? No wonder,” thinks Ms. Claus, watching Santa paint a wall. With examples both humble (A clueless math student answers “One?” “No!” replies his teacher) and complex—“A man, a plan, a cat, a bar, a cap, a mall, a ball, a map, a car, a bat, a canal: Panama”—Agee hikes down a curious, always entertaining language byway with a book which, it can be said with perfect justice, readers will enjoy backwards and forwards. (Picture book. 6-10)
Pub Date: April 16, 1999
ISBN: 0-374-31808-5
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1999
In this alphabetic tour of the golden state, alliterative phrases illuminate the featured letter and relay pertinent facts about California, while colorful illustrations form the centerpiece of each page. Below the picture is the descriptive phrase and beneath that are both uppercase and lowercase version of the specific letter. For M, “monarchs [are] migrating to Monterey” with the accompanying scenic illustration showing said butterflies flitting around the coast. Readers can then turn to the detailed appendix for more information on both monarchs and Monterey. With such exhaustive detail, this outwardly simple book is packed with a wealth of information, blending art, history, marine and animal life, while providing a stimulating and colorful introduction to the alphabet. (map) (Picture book. 3-7)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-87358-682-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1999
In a French import that explores emotional and aesthetic responses to color, George the duck (George’s Store at the Shore, 1998) tries to settle on a color to paint his house. Red? The ladybugs are encouraging: “Red is joyful, a splendid color!” Blue? “The color of dreams,” sings a bluebird. Orange? Purple? Black? George’s country villa, surrounded by flowers and vineyards, makes an idyllic background for his considerations; although Bassäde mixes flora from different seasons together and misnames (at least for the US audience) some yellow flowers “mimosa,” her free brushwork and soft hues create a pleasing atmosphere. George eventually chooses a harmonious gray-green, then invites all of his animal advisors to a garden party, shown on a wordless spread in which all his options are visually reprised. This is a horizon-expanding next step after color primers such as Bill Martin’s Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (1967). (Picture book. 6-7)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-531-30150-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orchard
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
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