by Kay Chorao & illustrated by Kay Chorao ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1998
An idyllic accounting of the seasonal activities on a small family-run farm called “Smallholdings.” Chorao (Jumpety- Bumpety Hop, 1997, etc.) opens on the doldrums of winter. As this is a combination husbandry and truck-farm operation, an entire bestiary of animals needs to be fed, with particular attention paid to the hens, who are a key source of income. There are also loads of flats in the greenhouse that need watering. Spring creeps in, fields get plowed, strawberries ripen, baby animals arrive. Through summer and fall, Chorao notes the details that make farms special: swallows nesting in old tractor seats, a collection of antique farm machinery, a clamshell driveway, the contraption that washes eggs. The fine pen work evokes both the tangle and non-stop action of farm life; indeed, the Brown family is so busy that they can’t mind the cash box. They leave an old metal box with change in their selling room (lined with such items as jam, honey, eggs, a scale, a sleeping cat, a bale of hay in winter, and bursting with flowers come spring), a detail that imparts a lingering note of respect for the entire endeavor. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: May 1, 1998
ISBN: 0-8050-5053-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1998
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by Janice Boland & illustrated by G. Brian Karas ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1996
A book that will make young dog-owners smile in recognition and confirm dogless readers' worst suspicions about the mayhem caused by pets, even winsome ones. Sam, who bears passing resemblance to an affable golden retriever, is praised for fetching the family newspaper, and goes on to fetch every other newspaper on the block. In the next story, only the children love Sam's swimming; he is yelled at by lifeguards and fishermen alike when he splashes through every watering hole he can find. Finally, there is woe to the entire family when Sam is bored and lonely for one long night. Boland has an essential message, captured in both both story and illustrations of this Easy-to-Read: Kids and dogs belong together, especially when it's a fun-loving canine like Sam. An appealing tale. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: April 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-8037-1530-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1996
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by Kobi Yamada ; illustrated by Natalie Russell ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2017
A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift.
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A paean to teachers and their surrogates everywhere.
This gentle ode to a teacher’s skill at inspiring, encouraging, and being a role model is spoken, presumably, from a child’s viewpoint. However, the voice could equally be that of an adult, because who can’t look back upon teachers or other early mentors who gave of themselves and offered their pupils so much? Indeed, some of the self-aware, self-assured expressions herein seem perhaps more realistic as uttered from one who’s already grown. Alternatively, readers won’t fail to note that this small book, illustrated with gentle soy-ink drawings and featuring an adult-child bear duo engaged in various sedentary and lively pursuits, could just as easily be about human parent- (or grandparent-) child pairs: some of the softly colored illustrations depict scenarios that are more likely to occur within a home and/or other family-oriented setting. Makes sense: aren’t parents and other close family members children’s first teachers? This duality suggests that the book might be best shared one-on-one between a nostalgic adult and a child who’s developed some self-confidence, having learned a thing or two from a parent, grandparent, older relative, or classroom instructor.
A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-943200-08-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Compendium
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
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by Kobi Yamada ; illustrated by Adelina Lirius
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