Cowley’s (Agapanthus Hum and the Eyeglasses, 1999) spunky, bespectacled heroine acquires a pet as unabashedly unique as she is when a trip to the local shelter results not in the intended cat, but a dog. The energetic pup soon earns the name Major Bark—and a permanent place in the hearts of Agapanthus and her family. In fact, Agapanthus feels Major is so splendid that he should compete in the local dog show. Even in the world of purebreds, Major’s individuality shines like a beacon, earning him a snazzy blue ribbon—for the pooch with the smallest eyes. Cowley’s vivacious prose wraps readers up in its ebullience. In her signature whimsical style, she adroitly conveys the heady feeling of love that owners, new and old, have for their adored pets. “A hum fizzed in Agapanthus like cherry soda pop as she cuddled the little dog in the back of the car.” Separated into seven brief chapters and filled with pictures large and small, this works well for independent reading but can also be shared aloud with fledgling readers. Plecas’s playful full-color illustrations humorously portray canine ardor and high-spirited hijinks of both puppy and child. This sparkling addition to the adventures of Agapanthus gently reminds us all that it’s more than okay to be different: it’s cause for celebration. (Fiction. 5-8)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-399-23322-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2000
The poster boy for relentless mischief-makers everywhere, first encountered in No, David! (1998), gives his weary mother a rest by going to school. Naturally, he’s tardy, and that’s but the first in a long string of offenses—“Sit down, David! Keep your hands to yourself! PAY ATTENTION!”—that culminates in an afterschool stint. Children will, of course, recognize every line of the text and every one of David’s moves, and although he doesn’t exhibit the larger- than-life quality that made him a tall-tale anti-hero in his first appearance, his round-headed, gap-toothed enthusiasm is still endearing. For all his disruptive behavior, he shows not a trace of malice, and it’ll be easy for readers to want to encourage his further exploits. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-590-48087-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1999
Small, a very little fox, needs some reassurance from Large in the unconditional love department. If he is grim and grumpy, will he still be loved? “ ‘Oh, Small,’ said Large, ‘grumpy or not, I’ll always love you, no matter what.’ “ So it goes, in a gentle rhyme, as Large parries any number of questions that for Small are very telling. What if he were to turn into a young bear, or squishy bug, or alligator? Would a mother want to hug and hold these fearsome animals? Yes, yes, answers Large. “But does love wear out? Does it break or bend? Can you fix it or patch it? Does it mend?” There is comfort in Gliori’s pages, but it is a result of repetition and not the imagery; this is a quick fix, not an enduring one, but it eases Small’s fears and may well do the same for children. (Picture book. 2-6)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-202061-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1999
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