Narrated by a bespectacled beagle, Oppel’s pedantic offering mixes a “be your authentic self” vibe with an admonishment not to spoil your appetite with sweets. “I’m the king’s taster, but I’m the cook’s dog,” says Max. When the new boy-king rebuffs Cook’s efforts, Max and Cook undertake a series of overnight travels in search of delectably palatable recipes to tempt his majesty. The forays yield predictable but tempting results: fries from France, pizza from Venice (not Napoli?) and “chili tacos” from Mexico, all summarily rejected—and ejected—by the bratty king. Once ratted out (thanks to Max) for eating those appetite-suppressing sweets, the king becomes a convert to Cook’s cuisine. “Ask me for anything…and it shall be yours!” he raves. Accordingly, the last spread depicts both Cook’s dream-come-true and the story arc’s conclusion, with Cook and Max outside their own eatery, a pub called “The King’s Taster.” Workmanlike collages by the accomplished Fancher and Johnson combine textiles, scrawled recipes and painterly elements in a muted, Old World palette that matches the ambitious plotting. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: June 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-075372-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2009
This charming picture book explores how various animals sleep. Each double page provides one line of loosely rhyming text framed in a wide pale yellow border, and a full-color photograph of a particular animal also framed in soothing yellow. Among the animals are the horse, chipmunk, bear, sloth, koala, bat, and shark. The photographs are clear and appealing, but sharp-eyed viewers will notice that a couple of the animals are not sleeping, no matter what the text says. Kajikawa concludes with additional information on the sleep habits of animals. Some information is not consistent with that reported by other science writers, e.g., on the sleeping habits of horses, but this remains an appealing book on a subject that fascinates children. (Picture book/nonfiction. 4-6)
Pub Date: April 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-8050-5890-7
Page Count: 29
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
Inspired by the beauty of the world around him, a newborn chick breaks into joyful song, frolicking through the forest. A chance encounter with a fox, who is honest about his intentions (“Hello, Lunch,” he says), has dire consequences: he swallows the chick in one gulp. Soon the fox is gamboling through the forest, singing the little chick’s song. He is gobbled up by a wolf, who in turn is consumed by a bear, and every one of them is afflicted with the singing malady. A tumble down the hill knocks all the creatures loose from the bear’s stomach, and, grateful that they are no longer compelled to sing, they return the warbling chick to his parents. Cecil’s illustrations sparkle with humor as every astonished animal is seized by the urge to sing and dance; the deep colors provide a vivid backdrop for the action. This wondrously silly tale will click with the same audience that appreciates any version of “The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.” (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-8050-5255-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1999
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