An illustrator known for the innovative use of vibrant color and boldly informal, childlike depictions in her board books and memorable Mother Goose (The Little Dog Laughed, 1990, ALA Notable) offers a very simple, straightforward retelling (``God wanted to punish the wicked people, so he said to Noah, `I shall make a flood of water and wash all the wicked people away...' Noah worked for years and years and years...''). Using her customary simplified, roughly shaped figures and richly saturated colors, Cousins shows Noah building the Ark and the animals coming in ``two by two,'' concluding with disembarkation. An excellent introduction, without the imaginative humor of, say, Spier's edition, but with a clarity of language and an outstanding graphic design that are sure to appeal to the youngest. (Picture book. 2-6)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1993
ISBN: 1-56402-213-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1993
Though the rhyme tumbles and at times bumbles, enticing imagery will lure readers in.
Rhyming text and colorful multicultural illustrations reassure young readers of God’s omnipresence and still small voice.
“Where in the world is God’s voice found?” Perhaps in ocean waves, bird song, or mountain vistas, suggest the couplet rhymes. Even when readers might be faced with difficult emotions and distractions of all kinds, the text reassures them that God is still there and still speaking, if only one pauses to listen. His voice can be found in nature, in starlight, in the love of family and friends, in dreams, and “through His Word.” Admirably, the bright illustrations, reminiscent of mid-20th-century Disney artist Mary Blair’s stylings, depict children and families with a diverse array of skin tones and ages. There is also a refreshing mix of urban, suburban, and rural settings. Yet, despite the appealing illustrations, the rhymes and scansion are often forced (“your feelings, they matter, / even if they’re all mixed up like / pancake batter”), which detracts from the overall message. Contrived couplets notwithstanding, this title will likely find an audience among Christian households seeking reassuring bedtime reads.
Though the rhyme tumbles and at times bumbles, enticing imagery will lure readers in. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-525-65385-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: WaterBrook
Review Posted Online: June 29, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2020
This lovely volume delivers a gathering of poems and prayers praising God and seeking blessings. Each two-page spread offers a poetic selection that is always short enough to keep a child’s attention and is faced by a delightful illustration. Griffith has selected each item from various authors and they range in topic from a piece by Dorothy Frances Gurney honoring the close relationship between God and gardens to the well-known bedtime prayer, “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.” There are blessings for home, such as the familiar food blessing before eating, and nature, such as “All Things Bright and Beautiful” or “I See the Moon.” Featuring adorable and expressive teddy bears, each scene is painted with an exacting yet whimsical brush, ornate in detail and lush oils. Merrily situated, the stuffed bears are always accompanied by other friendly animals, such as squirrels, cats, and dogs, pictured picnicking in a cool mountain valley, cuddling in a tunnel of love, or reading under a tree. This effort is an especially pleasing way to introduce prayer to children, and Griffith’s fine artwork, which has decorated classic stories and greeting cards alike, will appeal to collectors. (Picture book. 2-5)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2002
ISBN: 0-06-623689-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2002
BOOK REVIEW
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