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FRED’S BED

Name: FRED’S BED
Author: Marilyn Singer
ISBN: 0-694-01451-6

by Marilyn Singer & illustrated by JoAnn Adinolfi ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2001

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A simple, satisfying, reassuring tale of little Fred’s transition from crib to “big boy’s bed.” Singer’s (A Pair of Wings, p. 422, etc.) skill with this age group is apparent as the mother offers her son rhyming options to the crib: “Would you like to rest, in an eagle’s nest, way up high near the sky?” and he replies, “Too high.” The fantasy continues with the refrain “I need another kind of bed.” Adinolfi (The Birthday Letters, 2000, etc.) generously renders colored mixed-media paintings, with turquoise blues and soft lavenders, cherry reds, and lime greens on textured paper, some framed by spongy color and others spreading over the very edges of the page. Each painting displays just the right amount of fantasy and security. Fred tries snuggling down a rabbit hole, a “snooze in the fishy ooze,” “a nap in a monkey’s lap,” among other whimsical places, until his mama provides him with “a big, soft mattress, bright red spread, some fluffy pillows for your head.” Just right. (Harper Growing Tree series) (Picture book. 2-4)

Pub Date: May 1, 2001

ISBN: 0-694-01451-6

Page Count: 24

Publisher: HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2001

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
AWE-SOME DAYS
by Marilyn Singer ; illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte

- BOOK REVIEW
DOG SAYS, CAT SAYS
by Marilyn Singer ; illustrated by Sonia Sánchez

- BOOK REVIEW
A RAVEN NAMED GRIP
by Marilyn Singer ; illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

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THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF

adapted by Stephen Carpenter & illustrated by Stephen Carpenter ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 30, 1998

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In this entry in the Growing Tree series, the publisher copyrights the text, while Carpenter provides illustrations for the story; here, the three billy goats named Gruff play on a nasty troll’s greed to get where the grass is greenest. Logic has never been the long suit of this tale: Instead of letting the two smaller billy goats be terrorized by the mean and ugly troll, children wonder, why doesn’t the biggest billy goat step in sooner? It’s still a good introduction to comparatives, and the repetitiveness of the story invites participation. The artwork matches the story: The characters are suitably menacing, quivering, or stalwart, and the perspectives allow readers to be right there in the thick of the action. (Picture book. 2-4)

Pub Date: June 30, 1998

ISBN: 0-694-01033-2

Page Count: 24

Publisher: HarperFestival

Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1998

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
YOU'RE INVITED TO BRUCE LANSKY'S POETRY PARTY!
by Bruce Lansky & illustrated by Stephen Carpenter

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HOW KIND!

by Mary Murphy & illustrated by Mary Murphy ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2001

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Good deeds beget good deeds in this graphically bold and bright celebration of benevolence. Hen gives Pig an egg, a kindness that inspires him to give a carrot to Rabbit, who in turn picks flowers for Cow, and so on until Pig returns the initial favor by presenting Hen with a chick—hatched from her original egg. The clever turn of events leaves readers wondering if Hen has hornswoggled Pig into doing the work of hatching her egg, or if she is simply thanking him for the gift? The youngest readers and listeners will not be distracted by such concerns and will enjoy shouting out “How kind!” as it’s repeated throughout the text; they may also be inspired to emulate the animals and take turns doing one another kindnesses. Electric pink, sky blue, yellow, orange, purple, and tennis-ball-green ink-and-wash illustrations outlined in heavy black add to the cheer and are complemented by the loose yet readable typeface, created by and named for Murphy (Koala and the Flower, not reviewed, etc.). For just plain storytime fun or for introducing the concept of karma, this is a winner. (Picture book. 2-4)