Giving fans even more reason to “Like Ike”—the dog, that is—Teague pits his irrepressible, letter-writing canine against “Law and Order” candidate Hugo Bugwort in a race for Mayor of Snort City. Expressing righteous indignation at Bugwort’s resolute anti-dog stance, Ike (figuratively) throws his hat into the ring, and proceeds to report back to his laid-up owner Mrs. LaRue on his “dignified,” issue-based campaign. The pictures tell a somewhat different story than the all-letters-and-news-items text, showing Ike and a gang of doggy buddies creating chaos at Bugwort’s public appearances, defacing his posters (“Vote Sniff Bugwort For A Strong Snort City Odor”), plastering the neighborhood with “LaRue” stickers and staging raids on hot dog carts and ice-cream trucks. In the end a bit of heroic behavior from Ike earns an about-face from Bugwort and an offer to be Assistant Mayor. But, as a final picture hints, the mischievous pooch’s political career may just be getting under way. Though less an election-year primer than a tale for dog lovers of every breed, this merits a spot alongside Doreen Cronin’s wickedly satiric Duck For President, illustrated by Betsy Lewin (2004) as a waggish take on the theme. (Picture book. 6-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-439-78315-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Blue Sky/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2008
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An appealing invitation to consider the nuances in there being “no place like home.”
Tate would love to have a wild animal in the house…but for some reason, they’re not interested in moving in.
Determined to “rescue” the creatures she loves, Tate—a small, brown-skinned child with big, soulful eyes—writes letters to a variety of animals, declaring, “I want to save you from the wild!” Discouragingly, the lion responds to her offer of a safe home, a bath, and free meals with a “Proud Pass,” while the orca turns up its nose at the idea of living in Tate’s kiddie pool (“Sometimes I swim forty miles a day”). The grizzly bear emphasizes that it needs a den far bigger than Tate could provide (“I’ll be 800 pounds in no time”). Though some readers may question whether the trash-picking raccoons depicted in the story are really living in the wild, the author’s point about forcing wildlife into unnatural habitats is well taken, as is her closing suggestion that supporting animal conservation and rescue organizations is a better way to go. As for Tate, readers will be happy to see her connect at last with the stray dog that’s been shadowing her from the beginning and quickly becomes the perfect recipient for the promised home, bath, and meals.
An appealing invitation to consider the nuances in there being “no place like home.” (ways to help animals, websites for animal rescue organizations, author’s note) (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: June 18, 2024
ISBN: 9780593569078
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: March 23, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2024
This latest Froggy title (Froggy Goes to School, 1996, etc.) is utterly unfocused, with the star careening from soccer dolt to Mr. Superkick. Froggy’s team has a big game coming up with the Wild Things, and he is trying to remember the mantra his father, and assistant coach, taught him: “Head it! Boot it! Knee it! Shoot it! But don’t use your hands!” But illegally touching the ball seems to be the least of Froggy’s worries; distraction is his problem. He is so busy turning cartwheels, tying his shoes, and more, that the only time he makes contact with the ball is when it bounces off his head by mistake. Then, when the Wild Things make a breakaway, Froggy has some dazzling moves to avert a score, but forgetfully grabs the ball at the last second. The other team gets a penalty kick, converts it, but then Froggy makes a field-long kick for a game-winning score. London forces Froggy into too many guises—the fool, the hero, the klutz, the fancy dancer—but none of them stick. Remkiewicz’s illustrations have charm; it is in their appeal that this book will find its audience. (Picture book. 2-6)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-670-88257-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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