Spunky Hailey Twitch meets her match when an overeager fairy befriends her. High-spirited Maybelle hopes her energetic escapades will endear her to the youngster and earn her acceptance from the Department of Magic. Unfortunately, the sprite’s childish antics only bring trouble at home and tension at school; as Maybelle is visible only to Hailey, her misguided attempts to help the child backfire. Barnholdt focuses on fledgling friendships and dreaded partner assignments to successfully capture elementary school’s complex dynamics. The classmates’ realistic dialogue supports the lighthearted tale. Hailey’s engaging narration is developmentally egocentric and appropriately child-centered. Though Hailey is an active participant in the fairy's misbehavior at first, her growth in empathy reveals a developing maturity. Beaky’s animated illustrations extend the breezy narrative. Impish Maybelle shines in each of her energetic drawings; her doll clothes and patterned wings convey her exuberant personality. Though there’s nothing unusual about a fantasy series that stars a plucky protagonist, this introductory entry serves as a solid selection for transitioning readers. (Magical adventure. 6-9)
Pub Date: May 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4022-2444-7
Page Count: 160
Publisher: The History Press/Trafalgar
Review Posted Online: Feb. 4, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2010
Bears aren’t the only animals that growl, or so Harry the cat discovers on his first camping trip, in the great wilds of his backyard. As the night grows darker, the noises outside Harry’s tent become louder, until he abandons camping for shelter under his bed. The next morning, he and his small sister discover the source of the noises and food-theft—a raccoon. The suspense of the story and Ruelle’s friendly watercolors make this Level 2 Holiday House Reader ideal for beginners; kids will race to the finale to find out just what the ringtailed, masked monster really was. Younger children aren’t the only campers who will identify with the spookiness of nighttime noises—a tent’s thin walls are scant protection from animal growls and the big imaginations of readers of all ages. (Picture book. 6-9)
Pub Date: March 15, 1999
ISBN: 0-8234-1417-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1999
That Bynum comes up with so many lines to rhyme with “Altoona Baboona” deserves some kind of acclaim, even if the rhymes make readers laugh and groan at the same time. Altoona Baboona is an ape that “gets bored on her dune-a,” hops a “hot air balloon-a” and goes south to “Calcun-a.” On her hot air travels Altoona meets up with a loon-a and a racoon-a, who come back to the dune-a for an evening bonfire and roasted marshmallows. Bynum’s watercolors have a breezy ocean air feel to them, as light and buoyant as her simian heroine. (Picture book. 2-6)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-201860-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
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