After a scrawny stray wanders into his bakery, Benny the polar bear lures the well-dressed dog out with a piece of bread and the words, “A bakery isn’t anyplace for a dog.” But the aptly named Brownie continues to hang around, and the reticent Benny continues to feed him. It isn’t until Benny falls and breaks his leg and Brownie is refused admittance to the hospital (“A hospital is no place for a dog”) that the baker opens his heart and home to the heroic pet. Holt’s unassuming text is nicely structured and paced as she presents Benny’s reassuring routine and customers, including the menagerie of school children that embrace “Free Broken Cookie Day.” With varied placement, Saaf’s complementary, naïve-tinged illustrations will engage readers with color, texture, pattern and the friendly expression of emotions. A tasty treat for reading aloud that should get a rave reception. (Picture book. 5-8)
Pub Date: June 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8050-7587-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2007
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
In an unusual twist on the school field trip theme, a second-grade boy named Sam manages to take the class hamster along on a visit to the science museum. The hamster, George Washington by name, has the distinguishing trait of frequent sneezing, which proves critically important when George Washington is dropped into the museum’s hamster display and must be retrieved. Lots of humorous details add to this mid-level easy reader’s appeal, and the story will be enjoyed by newly independent readers as well as serving as a read-aloud in any classroom (or home) with a hamster as a pet. Carter’s expressive watercolor illustrations help bring the kids in room 75 and their furry pet to life. (Easy reader. 5-8)
Pub Date: July 1, 2005
ISBN: 0-06-000734-6
Page Count: 64
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2005
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A strong, accessible diary story for readers seeking an adorable animal tale.
Bub the anxious pug tackles snow days and new neighbors in his second outing.
Bub, acclaimed by some as “the cutest pug on the planet,” at first shares the enthusiasm owner Bella expresses about snow days even though he doesn’t know what they are. Then Duchess the cat (mildly antagonistic, in typical feline fashion) rains on Bub’s parade by pointing out that snow is water—and Bub’s no fan of rain or baths. After a comedic and disastrous first attempt, Bub learns how to properly dress for snow and enjoy it. The outdoor fun’s cut short by mysterious noises coming from the new neighbor, which frighten Bella into thinking there’s a monster. Bub puts on a Sherlock Holmes get-up to investigate but becomes afraid himself of the new neighbor’s large dog. Finally, Bella meets Jack, who’s been working on a tree fort, and his dog, Luna, who is enthusiastically friendly. The story ends on a positive note, as they all happily work together on the fort. The full-color cartoon illustrations, especially of Bub, are adorably expressive and certain to please the age group. The generous font and format—short, diary-entry paragraphs and speech-bubble conversations—create a quick pace. Bub’s stylized emoji bubbles return and are most hilarious when used to express his nervous flatulence. Bella and Jack both present white.
A strong, accessible diary story for readers seeking an adorable animal tale. (Fantasy. 5-7)Pub Date: Dec. 26, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-338-53006-3
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Oct. 12, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2019
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