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SLEEP TIGHT, LITTLE BEAR

Name: SLEEP TIGHT, LITTLE BEAR
Author: Martin Waddell
ISBN: 0-7636-2439-X

by Martin Waddell & illustrated by Barbara Firth ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 2005

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This winning author/illustrator team scores again with their fifth tale of Big Bear and Little Bear. One day Little Bear discovers a cave that is just the right size for him and furnishes it with his bed, a table and a chair; he plays all day in his cave, reads his book, makes his bed and has his supper. Big Bear even gives him permission to sleep there, but once in bed, Little Bear begins to wonder if Big Bear is lonely without him. Climbing out of bed and back to Big Bear’s cave, Little Bear says, “You forgot to read me my story.” And naturally, he falls asleep in Big Bear’s lap. The soft, expressive watercolors are delightfully engaging with some amusing subtle touches: Big Bear wears an apron; Little Bear’s book is 3 Ursi; and his stuffed toy is a bulbous-nosed, red-stocking-capped “teddy boy.” The simple text and charming illustrations are perfectly paired for this peek into a child/bear’s playhouse world that’s reassured by home, a shared bedtime story and friendship. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2005

ISBN: 0-7636-2439-X

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Candlewick

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2005

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
CAPTAIN SMALL PIG
by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Susan Varley

- BOOK REVIEW
THE SUPER HUNGRY DINOSAUR
by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Leonie Lord

- BOOK REVIEW
IT’S QUACKING TIME!
by Martin Waddell & illustrated by Jill Barton

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TSUNAMI!

by Kimiko Kajikawa & illustrated by Ed Young ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 2009

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Through quick thinking and personal sacrifice, a wise old Japanese farmer saves the people of his village from a devastating tsunami in this simple yet striking story based on Lafcadio Hearn’s “A Living God.” Ojiisan lives in a cottage on a mountain overlooking the village and sea. One day, villagers gather to celebrate the rice harvest, but Ojiisan stays home thinking “something does not feel right.” When the earth quakes and the sea darkens and runs away from the land, Ojiisan realizes a tsunami approaches. Fearing the oblivious villagers will be swept away, Ojiisan torches his rice fields to attract attention, and they respond, barely escaping the monster wave. Rendered in gouache, pastel and collage, Young’s illustrations cleverly combine natural textures, bold colors and abstract shapes to convey compelling images of chaos and disaster as the rice fields burn and the wave rushes in. In one literally breathtaking double-page spread, an enormous wall of water engulfs the teeny seacoast village. A visually powerful and dramatic tribute to one man’s willingness to sacrifice everything for others. (Picture book. 3-5)

Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-399-25006-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Philomel

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2008

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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THE GRUFFALO

by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Axel Scheffler ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1999

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The action of this rhymed and humorous tale centers upon a mouse who "took a stroll/through the deep dark wood./A fox saw the mouse/and the mouse looked good." The mouse escapes being eaten by telling the fox that he is on his way to meet his friend the gruffalo (a monster of his imagination), whose favorite food is roasted fox. The fox beats a hasty retreat. Similar escapes are in store for an owl and a snake; both hightail it when they learn the particulars: tusks, claws, terrible jaws, eyes orange, tongue black, purple prickles on its back. When the gruffalo suddenly materializes out of the mouse's head and into the forest, the mouse has to think quick, declaring himself inedible as the "scariest creature in the deep dark wood," and inviting the gruffalo to follow him to witness the effect he has on the other creatures. When the gruffalo hears that the mouse's favorite food is gruffalo crumble, he runs away. It's a fairly innocuous tale, with twists that aren't sharp enough and treachery that has no punch. Scheffler's funny scenes prevent the suspense from culminating; all his creatures, predator and prey, are downright lovable. (Picture book. 3-6)