When the Greens decide to divorce, it doesn't occur to them that their allocation of Mathilda to Mom and Mathew to Dad is the reverse of the twins' own perference—or that each is less willing to give up the other than to give up either parent. Unable to persuade their parents that the present plan is unacceptable, the twins bolt to Uncle Ben, whom they assume will quietly take them in, since (according to Mom) he and Mom have barely spoken since she was seven. But Ben isn't home; hoping for his return, the kids hang out in nearby Golden Gate Park, where they become acquainted with the various homeless—a fatherless family with three little children; a vague, erudite botanist who eats rare plants; other sad derelicts and crazies. Funds low, the twins learn that garbage can be edible. Meanwhile, interpolated headlines report the police search for them, plus an ominous series of murders of the homeless in the park—with the suspects including the homeless themselves. In a satisfyingly suspenseful conclusion, one twin is a near-victim, the other an inspired detective, and there are some surprising revelations of true identity. As in Konigsburg's From the Mixed-Up Files. . ., the runaways here are unique, engaging personalities; their experiences enhance their knowledge of themselves and the world; their techniques of survival are well-calculated to engage young readers. Sachs presents a pervasive current problem with insight and sympathy. A well-structured, thought-provoking novel; a real page-turner.
Pub Date: April 1, 1990
ISBN: 0140346813
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 8, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1990
A nice but not requisite purchase.
A retelling of the classic fairy tale in board-book format and with a Mexican setting.
Though simplified for a younger audience, the text still relates the well-known tale: mean-spirited stepmother, spoiled stepsisters, overworked Cinderella, fairy godmother, glass slipper, charming prince, and, of course, happily-ever-after. What gives this book its flavor is the artwork. Within its Mexican setting, the characters are olive-skinned and dark-haired. Cultural references abound, as when a messenger comes carrying a banner announcing a “FIESTA” in beautiful papel picado. Cinderella is the picture of beauty, with her hair up in ribbons and flowers and her typically Mexican many-layered white dress. The companion volume, Snow White, set in Japan and illustrated by Misa Saburi, follows the same format. The simplified text tells the story of the beautiful princess sent to the forest by her wicked stepmother to be “done away with,” the dwarves that take her in, and, eventually, the happily-ever-after ending. Here too, what gives the book its flavor is the artwork. The characters wear traditional clothing, and the dwarves’ house has the requisite shoji screens, tatami mats and cherry blossoms in the garden. The puzzling question is, why the board-book presentation? Though the text is simplified, it’s still beyond the board-book audience, and the illustrations deserve full-size books.
A nice but not requisite purchase. (Board book/fairy tale. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-7915-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Playful, engaging, and full of opportunities for empathy—a raucous storytime hit.
Readers try to dislodge a monster from the pages of this emotive and interactive read-aloud.
“OH NO!” the story starts. “There’s a monster in your book!” The blue, round-headed monster with pink horns and a pink-tipped tail can be seen cheerfully munching on the opening page. “Let’s try to get him out,” declares the narrator. Readers are encouraged to shake, tilt, and spin the book around, while the monster careens around an empty background looking scared and lost. Viewers are exhorted to tickle the monster’s feet, blow on the page, and make a really loud noise. Finally, shockingly, it works: “Now he’s in your room!” But clearly a monster in your book is safer than a monster in your room, so he’s coaxed back into the illustrations and lulled to sleep, curled up under one page and cuddling a bit of another like a child with their blankie. The monster’s entirely cute appearance and clear emotional reactions to his treatment add to the interactive aspect, and some young readers might even resist the instructions to avoid hurting their new pal. Children will be brought along on the monster’s journey, going from excited, noisy, and wiggly to calm and steady (one can hope).
Playful, engaging, and full of opportunities for empathy—a raucous storytime hit. (Picture book. 2-7)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-5247-6456-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: June 4, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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