by Kay Chorao & illustrated by Kay Chorao ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2001
When eerily looming shadows become too much for a small boy, his parents devise an ingenious method to ease his fears. In the stillness of his room, James imagines that the moonlit shadows cast by his curtains look like monsters. His parents turn James’s apprehensions into interest when they show him how to make his own shadow creations. Soon James is listening (and watching) a story about a pair of bumbling spiders bent on scaring everyone they meet. The purposefully goofy tale with its shadow reenactments relieves James’s anxieties. Chorao (The Little Country Town, not reviewed, etc.) strikes just the right note for young readers; she acknowledges a common childhood fear without dwelling on it and quickly divests the situation of its fearful qualities. Her full-color illustrations capture the cozy warmth of James’s family life with tender scenes depicting his doting parents reassuring and soothing the alarmed tot. The clearly drawn illustrations demonstrate how to re-create the shadow figures. Apprehensive children will feel empowered to overcome their fears; armed with moonlight and their own fleet fingers, they’ll be ready at a moment’s notice to banish any frightful shadow monsters. An afterword encourages children to explore shadow play and create their own stories and creatures. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: May 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-525-46685-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2001
Share your opinion of this book
More by Kay Chorao
BOOK REVIEW
by Kay Chorao ; illustrated by Kay Chorao
BOOK REVIEW
by Kay Chorao ; illustrated by Kay Chorao
BOOK REVIEW
by Debra Sartell and illustrated by Kay Chorao
by Joseph Slate & illustrated by Ashley Wolff ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1996
An inviting look at the first day of school in Miss Bindergarten's class. The simple rhyming text tells how the animal children get ready for the big event; as a bonus, the names of the students are listed alphabetically, each first letter corresponding to its animal type (Jessie is a jaguar, Zak is a zebra, etc.): ``Gwen McGunny/packs her bunny./Henry Fetter/fights his sweater.'' The procession is interspersed with the preparations of Miss Bindergarten, aided by her pet cockatoo, in her classroom. Wolff's fine illustrations add texture to a fairly simple concept. The teacher is depicted as an efficient sheepdog; eager and organized, she tapes notes on her furniture reminding her to ``have fun,'' yet forgets to take the price tag off her dress. The use of extinct animals for the more obscure letters only adds to the fun. In this soothing introduction to an anxiety-filled event, Slate (Who Is Coming to Our House?, 1988, etc.) makes the first day a pleasure for everyone involved. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-525-45446-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1996
Share your opinion of this book
More by Joseph Slate
BOOK REVIEW
by Joseph Slate and illustrated by E.B. Lewis
BOOK REVIEW
by Joseph Slate & illustrated by Alison Jay
BOOK REVIEW
by Joseph Slate & illustrated by Craig Spearing
by Audrey Wood & illustrated by Bruce Wood ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2004
This charming, colorful counting tale of ten little fish runs full-circle. Although the light verse opens and closes with ten fish swimming in a line, page-by-page the line grows shorter as the number of fish diminishes one-by-one. One fish dives down, one gets lost, one hides, and another takes a nap until a single fish remains. Then along comes another fish to form a couple and suddenly a new family of little fish emerges to begin all over. Slick, digitally-created images of brilliant marine flora and fauna give an illusion of underwater depth and silence enhancing the verse’s numerical and theatrical progression. The holistic story bubbles with life’s endless cycle. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-439-63569-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Blue Sky/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2004
Share your opinion of this book
More by Audrey Wood
BOOK REVIEW
by Audrey Wood ; illustrated by Don Wood
BOOK REVIEW
by Audrey Wood ; illustrated by Don Wood
BOOK REVIEW
by Audrey Wood & illustrated by Don Wood
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.