Tippy finds a new home, but his sentimental tale doesn’t cover any new territory in the crowded field of dog-adoption...
A boisterous, homeless dog finds a permanent home with the foster family assigned to care for him temporarily.
Tippy is called a terrier in the story, possibly a mix of terrier breeds or a smooth-coated fox terrier. He is transported along with many other dogs to a new location for potential adoption and “forever homes.” A white couple named Nice Woman and Nice Man take Tippy home as a temporary foster placement, introducing him to their own dog and cat. Nice Woman and Nice Man give rambunctious Tippy lots of attention and teach him basic obedience, and gradually he learns how to get along and behave. The couple realizes that Tippy has adjusted to his new home so well that they decide to keep him permanently. The text, based on a true story in the author’s life, is told in an old-fashioned style that includes Tippy’s thoughts, lots of words in capital letters for emphasis, and too many exclamation marks. The story’s saccharine slant includes Tippy’s exuberant pronouncements of joy at his permanent adoption, including a “happy tear” sliding down his nose. The illustrations include lots of humorous mischief in altercations among the two dogs and the cat, and multiple views of Tippy’s changing expressions help establish his personality. The human characters are shown primarily from the shoulders down and include children of color in one illustration.
Tippy finds a new home, but his sentimental tale doesn’t cover any new territory in the crowded field of dog-adoption stories. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-942155-20-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peter E. Randall
Review Posted Online: March 2, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2019
Young readers will be “antsy” to join the hero on her satisfying escapade.
An ant explores her world.
Addie Ant’s ready for adventure. Despite some trepidation about leaving the Tomato Bed, where she lives with her aunt, she plucks up her courage and ventures forth across the garden to the far side of the shed. On her journey, she meets her pal Lewis Ladybug, who greets her warmly, points the way, and offers sage advice. When Addie arrives at her destination, she’s welcomed by lovely Beatrix Butterfly and enjoys an “ant-tastic” helping of watermelon. Beatrix also provides Addie with take-home treats and a map for the “Cricket Express,” which will take her straight home. Arriving at the terminal, Addie’s delighted to meet another friend, Cleo Cricket, whose carriage service returns Addie home in “two hops.” After eating a warm tomato soup dinner, Addie falls asleep and dreams of future exploits. Adorable though not terribly original, this story brims with sensuous pleasures, both textual and visual. Kids who declare that they dislike fruits or veggies may find their mouths watering at the mentions and sights of luscious tomatoes, peas, beans, watermelons, berries, and other foodstuffs; insect-averse readers may likewise think differently after encountering these convivial, wide-eyed characters. And those flowers and herbs everywhere! The highlights are the colors that burst from the pages. Addie’s an endearing, empowering character who reassures children they’ll be able to take those first independent steps successfully.
Young readers will be “antsy” to join the hero on her satisfying escapade. (author’s note about ants) (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 9, 2024
ISBN: 9781797228914
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2024
Hee haw.
The print version of a knee-slapping cumulative ditty.
In the song, Smith meets a donkey on the road. It is three-legged, and so a “wonky donkey” that, on further examination, has but one eye and so is a “winky wonky donkey” with a taste for country music and therefore a “honky-tonky winky wonky donkey,” and so on to a final characterization as a “spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey.” A free musical recording (of this version, anyway—the author’s website hints at an adults-only version of the song) is available from the publisher and elsewhere online. Even though the book has no included soundtrack, the sly, high-spirited, eye patch–sporting donkey that grins, winks, farts, and clumps its way through the song on a prosthetic metal hoof in Cowley’s informal watercolors supplies comical visual flourishes for the silly wordplay. Look for ready guffaws from young audiences, whether read or sung, though those attuned to disability stereotypes may find themselves wincing instead or as well.
Hee haw. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: May 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-545-26124-1
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 28, 2018
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