“On an island / in the ocean / near the land of Singapore, / midst a storm of great proportion, / fifteen cats were washed ashore.” Marooned on an island with just a few coconut trees and a cave, the cats of different species try to get along. They find plenty of food, but their search for rescue ships is fruitless. When they decide to build a raft, everyone has a different idea of how to go about it. After a monumental fracas, they work together to build a beautiful raft—only to decide they don’t want to leave. They feel like a family; all choose to call the island (with a suspiciously feline-looking rock formation) their home. The team behind Sailor Moo: Cow at Sea (2002) has returned to the briny with this rhymed lesson in cooperation. Sneaky addition exercises pepper the text: “Fifteen cats me-yowl with woe—/ Nine above and six below.” Lapsit listeners can count the nine in the trees and the six on the beach. The story starts on the cover, and cat fans will beg to start again each time the book is closed. (Picture book. 2-7)
Pub Date: June 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-689-86232-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Richard Jackson/Atheneum
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2006
This straightforward, graphic book was published in Japan in 1978. Whether the US is ready for its unblinking look at a subject that naturally fascinates children and is basic to toilet training remains to be seen. ``An elephant makes a big poop. A mouse makes a tiny poop,'' begins Gomi, depicting animals, birds, fish, and humans in boldly stylized forms silhouetted against origami-paper colors; their feces are appropriately shaped blobs. There's a lot to know: different shapes, colors, and smells (not described), while some animals stop but ``Others do it on the move.'' A child heading for ``a special place'' introduces a nonjudgmental comparison of adults and tots on toilets and potties with a baby on a diaper. The book concludes with a seven- animal lineup viewed fore (``All living things eat, so...'') and aft (``Everyone poops''). Candid and sensible. (Picture book. 2- 5)
Pub Date: March 1, 1993
ISBN: 0-916291-45-6
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Kane Miller
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1993
SEEN & HEARD
When a young panda asks each of his parents for a kiss, they give him choices: “A soft kiss? / A sweet kiss? / A sticky bamboo treat kiss?” High or low, in the sun or the rain, from a bunny or a fish? In the end the young panda determines that “There are many kisses that will do! / But the best kiss is—from both of you!” A large font, rhythm and rhyme, picture clues and a low word count per page will help emergent readers succeed. Widdowson’s bright illustrations scatter Chinese elements throughout, adding international flair, and sprinkle other animals exchanging smooches for extra interest. A sweet treat to share with a beginning reader. (Early reader. 4-7)
Pub Date: Dec. 9, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-375-84562-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2008
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