Lynnhurst School Principal Mr. Tanen is happy to be the first one back from winter break. He’s also happy to see the rooms are painted and the heat and the refrigerator have been fixed. A call from the school department interrupts Mr. Tanen’s morning ritual of choosing a tie from his ample supply. The winter repairs drained the budget and there’s no money for the promised playground repairs. Mr. Tanen is distraught. The students worked hard all Fall to earn their part of the money. Then he hits on an idea. He auctions his beloved ties to raise the money. Everyone in town buys one, and the playground project is saved. The ribbon-cutting on the new playground is actually a tie-untying as the whole town returns the ties to the man who made them famous. Cocca-Leffler’s snappy and smiling watercolor-and-chalk illustrations bring Mr. Tanen and the denizens of Lynnhurst to life. Younger readers might not grasp the budgetary plot points, and a few older readers might find Mr. T’s altruism hard to believe. However, the twice-stated message “the more you give, the more you get” is a lesson every elementary student should take to heart. Fans of Mr. Tanen’s first tale (Mr. Tanen’s Ties, 1999) will not be disappointed at this welcome return. (Picture book. 5-9)
Pub Date: March 1, 2003
ISBN: 0-8075-5305-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Whitman
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2003
Jenny's father explains the 17-year cicadas' life cycle and tells her about the last time they appeared (he was 12); together, they observe and admire the insects' during their brief appearance. By extending the story another 17 years, Ryder links the cicadas' cycle to Jenny's: now she and Dad can share this special natural event with Jenny's son. Ryder's text is graceful as well as informative; Stock's gentle illustrations not only reinforce the warm family relationship but serve to identify the cicadas at different stages. (Picture book. 5-9)
Pub Date: March 22, 1991
ISBN: 0-688-07057-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1991
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A porcine ingénue narrowly escapes being the main entrée at a country fair, thanks to some fancy footwork and cunning deductions of her companion, Moose. When Hildy, a vainglorious pig, receives a gracious invite to a Pig Pickin’ competiton, she naturally assumes she’s competing for the title of a beauty queen. However, Moose comes to the realization en route that Hildy may be headed to a destination of a different sort. Greene’s farcical tale relies heavily on gags and Hildy’s utter naïveté in the face of the ominous evidence. With a slick farmer villain to boo, a wily Moose to champion and a damsel in distress—albeit a bit of a buffoon—Greene’s country caper will have readers eagerly turning the pages to the climatic conclusion. Mathieu’s pencil-and-gray wash illustrations feature largely throughout the tale, making this a nice bridge for readers who are ready to make the leap from beginning chapter books to more challenging reading. (Fiction. 6-9)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-7614-5324-5
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2006
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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