Not the most smoothly transitioned of Froggy fare, but endearing nevertheless.
Fans expect a flop flop flop in every Froggy adventure, but in this latest work, Froggy’s emotions flip-flop more than his webbed feet ever do.
Froggy wakes up, excited to start the weekend by going outside to play. But none of his friends are home. Luckily, his mom has a solution: She has set up a play date with Frogilina. Froggy’s reaction? “I’M NOT GOING!” Froggy slams the door—“BLAM!”—wails on his saxophone (“SQUAAAAAAWK”) and throws a ball against the wall (“thump thump thump”) to release some anger. But then he realizes that he does want to see the movie, even if Frogilina has to come along. He snaps on his favorite bowtie, slaps on some of Dad’s aftershave (Froggy’s true feelings come out) and heads to the theater. Froggy, of course, can’t sit still for an entire movie, and somehow Frogilina manages yet again to give him a great big smooch on the cheek. EEEWWW. London deals with a classic young-child dilemma—wrestling with the embarrassment of having a crush—with sympathetic humor. A post-movie visit to an ice-cream stand feels more tacked on to provide additional sound-effect opportunities than derived organically from the story, alas.
Not the most smoothly transitioned of Froggy fare, but endearing nevertheless. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-670-01427-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Dec. 25, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Though far from startlingly original, it’s good for a giggle or two.
All the other animals make very distinct sounds. What about rabbits?
In the still of the night, the meadow fills with rabbits, who nibble peacefully for hours. As the sun comes up, the farm rings out with noises. The rooster trumpets out a “Cock-a-doodle-do,” the horse neighs, the dog woofs, and so on. This causes a young bunny named Raggety-Taggle to wonder just what noise a rabbit makes. He tries thump-thumping with his foot, but this just attracts a predatory cat that nearly catches him. The chase wakes up the dog, who pursues the cat; it also stirs up the cows, the sheep, the horses, the pigs, the rooster and the farmer on his tractor. When the farmer blows his horn, all the animals stop short, tumbling into an awkward pile. All, that is, except Raggety-Taggle, who quietly runs all the way home. Later that night, as the sun goes down, the rabbits again fill the meadow, and Raggety-Taggle wonders “just why anybody would ever want to make a noise at all.” The treatment of animals and their sounds is entirely predictable (if spelled with a British accent—the cat says, “Miaow!”), but it’s leavened with the sly lesson about the value of being quiet. Byrne’s colors are bold, and his animals, drawn with an appealing simplicity, are apt for preschoolers.
Though far from startlingly original, it’s good for a giggle or two. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4677-2032-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Andersen Press USA
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Good piratical fun.
A pirate rat and his fearless crew sail the seas—until a “monster” ends the voyage.
The captain of the pirate ship and his fellow travelers, a squirrel and cat, go sailing, conquering everything and fearing almost nothing. The bold shipmates pogo-stick across the heads of toothy crocodiles, dance merrily in the scary dead of night, and blow raspberries at a shark eyeing them hungrily, all ready for his meal, bib on and fork and knife in hand. And just as children would have it, there are no rules on the ship, and the merry trio eat and drink (without cleaning up, of course), bungee jump from the ship’s tall mast and paint the walls with reckless abandon. But then a giant, hairy foot appears, and trembling with fear, the pirates end their escapades. Through the ship’s portholes, readers see glimpses of the “BIG. Scary. VERY hairy” beast. As the monster’s paws pluck the cat and squirrel from the sea, the rat waves a tearful goodbye. Who is this fearsome beast? It’s the rat pirate’s mother, holding out a fuzzy towel for her little rat, who smiles back at her from the tub. And the cat and squirrel—tub toys—have been placed on the floor to dry. Adorable, mixed-media illustrations with lots of humorous touches will coax any little landlubber to the sea—er, bathtub.
Good piratical fun. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-58925-143-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
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