An owl takes over a rooster’s role (well, mostly) in this rather ingenuous barnyard episode. Flabbergasted to find an owl roosting among them after a stormy night, most of the henhouse’s feathered residents want to drive the stranger away. Though one speckled hen takes him under her wing, teaching him to scratch and pick just like a rooster, he can’t quite get the hang of cock-a-doodling—until he really proves his worth by gobbling down a marauding, egg-eating rat. After that ,he manages a crow (see title) that’s good enough for his grateful new harem. Two high spots sandwich the big cartoon illustrations: an opening scene in which the small, weary owl gets an unconscious cuddle from the sleeping hens; and a final view of him strutting out in front of a line of hens and chicks, past an astounded farmer. Even younger children may be left wondering where the next generation of chicks will be coming from, but the speckled hen’s compassion and the owl’s willingness to work at finding ways to fit in without compromising his essential nature thematically anchor a warmly inclusive tale. (Picture book. 6-8)
Pub Date: May 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-1-56148-568-0
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Good Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2007
From France, a nonsensical story of one tricky coyote and a boy whose curiosity gets the better of him. A small boy notices an unusual coyote on the backyard hill of desert sand. This coyote is strangely purple and balances himself weathervane-like on one paw to send a distinctive howl into the air. The coyote will not reveal the origins of his coloring, or the reasons for his pose or howl. Jim pesters the creature with questions before, in a show of bravado, standing on one hand and howling. He turns purple and is thanked by the coyote, who has reverted to his desert-sand color. Jim attempts to entice a raccoon to a similar state of curiosity about his new color, but the raccoon is resoundingly not interested. Bold colors spar, at angles to one another, with the purple coyote or the boy’s red truck or cap keenly contrasted by planes of sky and sand. There’s no logic to this peculiar fantasy, except to highlight the perils of curiosity. Although the main character of the boy is never really endowed with personality, Rochette maintains the coyote’s character by painting a gleam in his eye that underscores his perpetual something-up-my-sleeve attitude. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: May 11, 1999
ISBN: 0-385-32664-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1999
Carlson brings her vibrant brand of encouragement to bear on the first day of kindergarten. Henry, a mouse, is rip-roaring ready to attend school; his mother has to restrain him from racing out the door before he has washed and brushed, had breakfast, and loaded his backpack. As he and his mother walk to school, Henry bubbles over with questions and guesses about the day’s activities. When they arrive, however, Henry has a typical change of heart: “I want to go home.” With some heartening words from his teacher, Henry goes forth and engages the forces of trepidation and change, not as a superhero, but as one of the meek who knows he has to get on with it. Carlson’s hero is just goofy enough to make her message suspicious; she could be telling readers that if he can do it, so can they. This book will make them relish the chance. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: June 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-670-88378-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1999
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
