Garland places realistic but processed-looking patterned eggs, hens, chicks, real and chocolate bunnies, baskets and other Easter-ish iconography in multiple layers for this browser’s-delight companion to Mystery Mansion (2001) and Christmas City (2002). Though linked by a slender plotline involving a lad who finds rhymed notes from his Aunt Jeanne that lead him to a brightly colored but industrialized land where factories pour out Easter candy year-round, most spreads are more or less independent—each offering a different visual challenge, from a maze to a “what doesn’t belong here?” parade. Providing a tally of his own at the end, the author invites viewers to count the holiday items in each scene and also to winkle out slightly concealed Easter greetings in a variety of languages scattered throughout. Not essential, but an inviting romp, falling on the visual complexity scale somewhere between Joan Steiner’s Look-Alikes Junior (1999) and the hyper-busy-ness of Where’s Waldo? (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2005
ISBN: 0-525-47357-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2004
A shaggy-dog tale about the journey of the biggest Christmas tree on the lot to Geraldine's home. Brother Willie helps, but the evergreen still needs to be trimmed down considerably during their arduous trip, as friendly shopkeepers shorten the trunk and prune out the top to make the tree more portable. It's still too large for the living room; the top is bent over by the ceiling—a silly touch, but at least Geraldine can place the star on it without help. In guileless illustrations and text, Keller (Geraldine First, 1996, etc.) accurately targets toddlers' tastes, but among holiday tales, this one is more heart than plot, and may be overshadowed by flashier Santas, Grinches, and reindeers with red noses. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1997
ISBN: 0-688-14500-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1997
Ford uses each letter of the alphabet to illustrate an aspect of Kwanzaa, in a mix of English and non-English words; phonetic pronunciations are provided for non-English words, but not the language or country of origin. To the familiar—``A is for Africa'' and ``C is for candle''—Ford adds ``L is for lapa'' (a broad piece of cloth that African women wear) and ``M is for Mkeka'' (a special mat for the holiday table). Wilson-Max works with flat, simple shapes boldly outlined in black; these are cheerful and informative, with festive scenes of participants gathering to celebrate the principles of Kwanzaa. Other books cover the holiday more thoroughly, but this is certainly a charming and accessible beginning. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1997
ISBN: 0-590-92200-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1997
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