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ZILLA SASPARILLA AND THE MUD BABY

Name: ZILLA SASPARILLA AND THE MUD BABY
Author: Judith Gorog
ISBN: 1-56402-295-1

by Judith Gorog & illustrated by Amanda Harvey ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1996

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Zilla loses a shoe into the clutchy goop that lines the Little Muddy River. When she tries to pull it free, she finds in her hand a mud baby, waving that shoe. Granny Vi, Zilla's neighbor, tells her to wash the child in milk, then water, and what once was mud will become human. She does, he does, a family of two is born. But Zilla is plagued by worries: Does his muddy bathwater mean he is melting (Granny Vi counsels that all children leave muddy bathwater behind), and will the river try to reclaim its creation? This is a promising scenario, especially well realized in Harvey's delicate, joy-filled pictures, but Gorog (see review, above) misses many of its opportunities. The rural setting is never developed, so readers never sense the river's menace the way Zilla does. The character of Cinnamon, first as a baby and then as a grown boy, is frustratingly blank, which makes it hard to identify with the central theme: the cares and concerns of parenting. Zilla's fears are such wild-eyed concoctions that the final scene, in which Cinnamon emerges safely from the river, has little impact. (Picture book. 6-9)

Pub Date: May 1, 1996

ISBN: 1-56402-295-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Candlewick

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1996

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
WHEN NOBODY'S HOME
by Judith Gorog

- BOOK REVIEW
PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH
by Judith Gorog

- BOOK REVIEW
ON MEETING WITCHES AT WELLS
by Judith Gorog

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EDDIE'S FRIEND BOODLES

by Carolyn Haywood & illustrated by Catherine Stock ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 18, 1991

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One last book (Haywood died last year at 92) from an author whose wholesome neighborhood stories are still widely read, if somewhat dated. Unfortunately, though the style here is still cheery and accessible, the events are bland and often unlikely. Boodles, known for always doing his best, would like to be a clown. Luckily, he meets one at the circus, where he becomes a minor hero by putting out a small fire; he also tries his mother's makeup, which proves to be virtually indelible, and trains his dog to be part of his act, with the result that the dog becomes overweight from too many rewards. Final insight: training can be done with love. Stock's scribbly b&w drawings are not up to her usual standard. Only for collections with an insatiable demand for this popular author. (Fiction. 6-9)

Pub Date: Oct. 18, 1991

ISBN: 0-688-09028-1

Page Count: 80

Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1991

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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NELSON IN LOVE

AN ADAM JOSHUA VALENTINE'S DAY STORY

by Janice Lee Smith & illustrated by Dick Gackenbach ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 30, 1992

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Adam Joshua finds that Valentine's Day is ``a whole lot scarier'' than Halloween. Just as longtime best buddy Nelson develops a baffling crush on classmate Heidi, Adam Joshua's good old dog George begins to run off with Lucy, the new dog on the block. Then he learns that his name has been omitted from the Secret Friends exchange, but he's getting notes and candy anyway. Adam Joshua has a lot of worries and no one to talk to, since George has always been his closest confidant. Events culminate on Valentine's Day, beginning with Nelson's innocent gift to Heidi: a goldfish, which she detests so much that she vows revenge on the unknown perpetrator. Then Adam Joshua's suspicions are confirmed when he discovers that Heidi has been his unauthorized Secret Friend. In a selfless, courageous moment, Adam Joshua acts on Nelson's behalf, with a move that will have readers shrieking with delight. Recalling Frog and Toad's loyal friendship, this funny, endearing story is a welcome addition for transitional readers at Valentine's Day. One of Smith's best. (Fiction. 6-9)