The Magic Pocket (32 pp.; $16.00; Nov. 1; 0-689-82137-9): Mado’s second collection of poetry (The Animals, 1992) reflects with quiet intimacy children’s relationship with the natural world, with lithe phrasing that is exquisitely pared down and precise. Minimal language conjures striking images—“Umbrella, umbrella, The world’s/Biggest flower.” Anno’s neutral-toned illustrations match the diminutive scale of the poems; hailstones with little faces, smiling fingernails in a row, happy acorns, and bounding rabbits decorate the pages. Both Japanese and English versions of the poems appear. (Picture book/poetry. 4-8)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1998
ISBN: 0-689-82137-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1998
BOOK REVIEW
IN THE NEWS
Sitting on his stoop near the end of a tidy block of row houses, Max seizes on a couple of sticks that blow from a tree and begins tapping: on his own thighs; on the bottom of Grandpa's window-washing bucket; on a hatbox his mother brings home, bottles, a garbage can. Unobtrusively, Pinkney slips in new information about Max's family in each spread, as the boy experiments creatively with what's at hand, imitates rhythms he hears (``the sound of pigeons, startled into flight,'' church bells, the wheels of the train where his father's a conductor). In a satisfying conclusion, the drummer in a passing band tosses Max his extra drumsticks. Pinkney's scratchboard illustrations, designed with a sure hand and overlaid with rich, subtle shades of sky blue, leaf green, and brick applied in free, painterly strokes, are superb; they vividly convey the imagination and vitality of this budding young musician. A perfect marriage of idea and art. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1994
ISBN: 0-671-78776-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1994
This cute and clever sequel is the story of the Gingerbread Boy’s younger sister. Rationalizing that a sweet girl surely would not run away from them, the lonely old couple again attempts a gingerbread child. But she has other ideas: “I’ll run and I’ll run / With a leap and a twirl. / You can’t catch me, / I’m the Gingerbread Girl!” As she runs through town, she captures the interest and appetite of many, but she just spouts witty poetry and sings her trademark refrain. At the river, she accepts a ride on the fox’s tail, moves to his back as the water creeps higher and even climbs onto his head. But in one cunning move, she masters the fox and leads her entourage back to the old couple’s house where they bake gingerbread for everyone and are never lonely again. Ernst’s facial expressions are spot-on. Her illustrations reflect the country setting in both the muted colors and the gingham pattern of the borders and backgrounds. A wonderful addition to other happy-ending, empowered-girl, fairytale remakes. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-525-47667-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2006
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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