A turn-of-the-century poem is resurrected and paired with Williams’s sparkling illustrations. Appearing originally as “The Baby Goes to Boston” (circa 1902), Richards’s exuberant poem describes the sights and sounds of baby’s whirlwind journey on an old-fashioned locomotive. Some of the syntax and word-choices whisper of yesteryear—e.g., “Are they running for to go / Riding with the locomo?” and “Each chasing t’other one”—and may cause modern tongues to trip at first. Yet, the rhythmic tempo and easy flow of the words quickly carries readers over these rough patches. Richards’s nonsense rhymes have timeless appeal; the gleeful refrain “Jiggle joggle, Jiggle joggle, Jiggle joggle jee!” is as entrancing to little ones now as it was a hundred years ago. Williams’s full-bleed watercolor and pencil illustrations are a perfect foil for the poem, deftly bridging the gap between the ages with a fantasy landscape that’s straight from baby’s dreams. A toy train chugs along with a cargo of stuffed animals, whizzing through a colorful, enchanting world filled with fairy castles, a smiling balloon sun, and cheery tots cavorting in a strawberry tree. The captivating illustrations clamor for leisurely, in-depth perusals and prove to be as beguiling as Richards’s poem. Nostalgic and brimming with old-world charm, this merry romp is a great ride. (Picture book. 2-5)
Pub Date: April 30, 2001
ISBN: 0-688-17832-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2001
An exclamation of affection for an older sister from a baby who can’t talk just yet, so readers will have to take the author’s modestly overcooked word for it. Tenderhearted watercolors accompany this love letter to an older sibling, in which the young recipient details all the fine qualities of the older child. “I can’t talk yet, but when I do, I’ll say thank you for helping to take care of me,” a baby mouse declares to its sister. Also for making the baby laugh, sharing toys, and helping the baby to walk, keeping an eye out for the child, and making bath time so much fun. Rader has sharply etched all the situations and keeps the text just this side of sickly sweet. Then again, this story is an exercise in the kind of reflection that often goes begging, one that points out the thankful instead of the hurtful. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: April 1, 2003
ISBN: 0-06-009921-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2003
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This fun romp is first and foremost a visual lollapalooza involving a group of circus animals decked out in nuclear-strength color costumes on great fields of white, which provide even further amperage. Kiko, a mouse, happens upon a tasty-looking piece of cheese. “Run, Kiko, run!” (All resemblance to Dick, Jane, and Sally ends right there.) As he makes off with the cheese, Kiko runs into a cat, Gato, who starts the chase. Soon enough, Fido is chasing Gato, then “Oh, Fido, see Otto?” Otto happens to be a tiger, who thinks Fido looks as good as the cheese does to Kiko. Enter Mumbo, a great elephant, who stomps after Otto, the creatures now a string of hard-pumping arms and legs: “See Mumbo run? Run, Otto, run! Run, Fido, run! Run, Gato, run! Run, Kiko, run!” But Mumbo wasn’t counting on Koko, Kiko’s mom, and we all know how elephants feel about mice getting too close. Kiko makes it to the mouse hole: “Thanks, Mom.” Brilliant color use, elements of pure geometry, a simple text built for speed and engagement, and a classic turning of the tables gives readers both an eyeful and a first taste of allegory. (Picture book. 2-5)
Pub Date: April 1, 2003
ISBN: 0-316-24022-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2003
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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