by Kate McMullan & illustrated by R.W. Alley ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2004
Pearl the rabbit and Wagner the mouse continue to develop the friendship introduced in the first volume in this easy-reader series, Pearl and Wagner: Two Good Friends (2003). In this funny entry, three short chapters highlight the sort of secrets important to first graders, focusing on the fear of riding on a roller coaster. Pearl skillfully helps Wagner prepare for their roller coaster ride, conquering his fear of the unknown, but the reality of the enormous roller coaster gives Pearl her own set of worries. Her fears are counteracted by Wagner’s comforting presence as they ride the huge “Zoomer” side-by-side, along with their class of assorted animal friends. McMullan’s subtle humor infuses the clever plot, which includes a field trip to an ice-cream factory as well as a birthday party at the amusement park. Alley’s delightful watercolor-and-ink illustrations show a wide range of emotions, including the animals all screaming their heads off as the roller coaster cars careen downhill. Pearl and Wagner are a winsome pair of pals who will surely share more easy-reader adventures, perhaps next time over four seasons like another famous animal duo. (Easy reader. 5-7)
Pub Date: May 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-8037-2574-4
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2004
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by Kate McMullan ; illustrated by Sujean Rim
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by Kate McMullan ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson
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by Kate McMullan ; illustrated by Jim McMullan
by Richard Thompson & illustrated by Martin Springett ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 1, 2002
Thompson and Springett’s second collaboration (The Follower, not reviewed) follows a similar scenario—scary things following a child through a scary place. Here, the treasures the Native boy collects are “clinking and clicking and rustling” and conjuring up images of mysterious and dangerous animals following him. An imaginary fox or dog, a bear, and the dreaded Night Stalker threaten the boy as he walks then runs over the hills and through the forests. In his haste to escape from the sounds, the boy trips and is certain that the Night Stalker will pounce on him. He listens for the sounds and waits. The stillness of the night and the silence in the air lulls him to sleep and when he rises in the morning, he continues his journey in the light. His mother realizes that it was the treasures in his pouch that were making the ominous noises. Springett’s softly hued two-paged spreads capture the sense of imagined beings on a sweep of forward motion. Discerning readers will question why the treasures did not sound their clicking and clinking during the morning portion of his walk but nevertheless, this is a comfortably scary story that will evoke smiles for those who can imagine their own Night Stalker. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2002
ISBN: 1-55041-672-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2002
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by Maggee Spicer & Richard Thompson & illustrated by Kim LaFave
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by Carol Diggory Shields & illustrated by Richard Thompson
by Bernard Waber ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 2002
Veteran Waber moves from the stridency of Fast Food! Gulp! Gulp! (2001) to a more reflective tally of everyday situations that require courage. His clearest examples range from specific challenges, such as “Courage is riding your bicycle for the first time without training wheels,” to such general experiences as trying new foods, breaking bad habits, or “holding on to your dream.” Too often, however, he wanders confusingly afield; readers may wonder, for example, what’s courageous about admiring but not picking flowers, or “not peeking at the last pages of your whodunit.” Wobbly-lined cartoons add touches of humor, while clearing up some of the more elliptical references in the one-liner captions. More suitable for a discussion starter than independent reading, this develops a timely topic in simple, sensitive ways. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 2002
ISBN: 0-618-23855-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2002
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by Bernard Waber ; illustrated by Suzy Lee
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by Bernard Waber & illustrated by Paulis Waber
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