Next-door neighbors Turtle and Snake (Turtle and Snake at Work, 1999, etc.) bundle up to go shopping for a tree—but as one (guess which) likes tall, skinny ones, and the other prefers them short and wide, the two leave the tree farm empty-handed (figuratively speaking). Brand new readers will slide through the short sentences here as easily as Turtle, Snake, and a host of winter frolickers slip down snow-covered slopes in Spohn’s simply drawn scenes. And the good fellowship positively radiates after Turtle and Snake at last find the perfect tree—growing between their houses—and invite everyone to a grand trimming party beneath the stars. A pleasant holiday confection, frosted with humorous touches. (Easy reader. 6-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-670-88867-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2000
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Uhlberg (Mad Dog McGraw, 2000, etc.) presents a properly poker-faced retelling of a popular European folktale. Lemuel the fisherman finally makes good on his dream of visiting a magical town he is sure sits just over the horizon. Aiming his boat in the direction of the red scarf he's tied to the bow, he is caught up in a storm and temporarily loses consciousness. No matter, the scarf still points the way. But when he arrives, he's astonished to discover that the streets, buildings, and people look just like those in his native village. Even more amazing, there's a boy who looks just like his son Sol and a woman who could not only be his wife Essie's twin, but she even knows his name! It's all too weird; Lemuel sneaks away that night, and after falling asleep in mid-voyage, "returns" to his own home. The tale's mild humor is picked up nicely in Lamut's airy paintings; nearly all of her neatly drawn people go about their business cheerfully among well-kept, tile-roofed houses, and despite her sharp-sounding words, Essie always greets her foolish husband with a fond smile. This rib-tickler should induce many a young armchair traveler to pay a visit to Chelm or Gotham. (Picture book/folktale. 6-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 2001
ISBN: 1-56145-220-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2001
McNaughton (Oomph, p. 416, etc) takes the old warning about stepping on a crack and turns it into a series of less-threatening mishaps: one wrong step, and you might suddenly turn into a pig, or a girl (“your worst nightmare”), or your father might become a “hippy,” your dog might wee on a massive punk, you might forget to put your trousers on before going off to school, and so forth. It’s not just any crack that will do this, of course, it’s the crack—and there’s no telling which one that is: “It might not even be in this town!” Adults get the worst of it: picture mom in platform shoes and purple stretch pants trying for “a younger look.” The broadly comic cartoons may draw some giggles, but on the whole this uninspired flight of fancy never gets off the ground. (Picture book. 6-8)
Pub Date: May 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-8037-2611-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2001
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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