by Muriel Harris Weinstein & illustrated by Frank Morrison ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 21, 2010
Weinstein, author of the lighthearted picture book When Louis Armstrong Taught Me Scat, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (2008), lofts another tribute, this time in short chapters. The subtitle’s belied straightaway as the narrator, Armstrong’s first cornet, begins opining enthusiastically from the display window of a New Orleans “hock shop.” Claiming that Louis would “talk to me as if we were brothers, tell me every note in his life” and invoking Armstrong’s lifelong journaling habit, the narrator liberally interjects dialogue and serves as a sort of touchstone for the impoverished boy’s musical dreams. Biographical details, mostly sanitized for primary graders, enrich the upbeat text, and although a few of Louis’ scrapes with police are highlighted, the emphasis is on Armstrong’s extraordinary musical gifts and the appreciation with which they were met, from childhood street quartets through his arrival in Chicago. A glossary defines words like “outhouse” and “vocalist” but not the oft-used term “colored.” Best enjoyed as fiction, it’s still a resonant first connection to Armstrong’s hard-knock beginnings, determination and towering jazz innovations. Illustrations not seen. (afterword, references) (Historical fiction. 7-10)
Pub Date: Dec. 21, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59990-375-0
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: Dec. 22, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2010
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by Muriel Harris Weinstein and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
by Patricia Polacco ; illustrated by Patricia Polacco ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 12, 2014
Like Polacco’s Thank You, Mr. Falker (1998) and others, an inspiring tale made all the more so by its roots in life.
The terrible fear of speaking in public in front of others—no words will come out, no terror like it—is given passionate form in Polacco’s latest, based, as her books often are, on an event from her own life.
The Patricia of the story is the author herself as a girl, who loves to read and write but is reduced to quivering silence when asked even to read aloud. Her beloved English teacher sends her to the drama teacher, Mr. Wayne, where she takes refuge in painting scenery and listening to every word of dialogue and stage direction. Soon she is acting as prompter, as she holds the entire play in her head. When the girl playing the lead suddenly moves away without a word to anyone at the school, everyone knows only Patricia has all the words. Mr. Wayne gives Patricia the tools she needs on stage: breathe, move, “let the play take you.” And she does! The last page tells how Polacco’s Mr. Wayne helped her overcome her deep shyness, allowing her now to speak to many with joy and energy. Her usual pencil-and-marker–patterned dots, flowers and stripes adorn the exuberantly dramatized figures of teachers, students and heroine.
Like Polacco’s Thank You, Mr. Falker (1998) and others, an inspiring tale made all the more so by its roots in life. (Picture book. 7-10)Pub Date: Aug. 12, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-399-16095-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014
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by Patricia Polacco ; illustrated by Patricia Polacco
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by Patricia Polacco ; illustrated by Patricia Polacco
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by Patricia Polacco ; illustrated by Patricia Polacco
by Kate Klise ; illustrated by M. Sarah Klise ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 9, 2014
With this series, youngsters will find reading smooth sailing and look forward to future escapades. Next up: The circus...
In the third installment of the endearing Three-Ring Rascals chapter books, Sir Sidney’s circus brings cruise-ship entertainment to a new level, and Brambles’ heart grows as large as an ocean.
Sir Sidney continues to work with his manager, Barnabas Brambles, on being kind. Bert and Gert, the circus mice, see a long road ahead, but little do they know a sea change is coming. A letter from a Miss LaPasta arrives, inviting the circus aboard a cruise ship—all except Brambles! Miss LaPasta has “heard he’s the meanest man alive.” With that, Sir Sidney determines they will go, with Brambles. It’s only after they embark that they discover that Miss LaPasta is a lonely child who did not tell her mother, Capt. LaPasta, about the invitation. Worse, Sir Sidney is laid low by seasickness, while Brambles becomes lovesick for the captain. And although the ensemble thrills the passengers with their antics and acts, the unhappy captain sees ruin and disaster. Then they hit an iceberg! The adventures are captured in text that fully integrates art and speech bubbles, geography lessons are gratis, and the climax is marked by a meatball version of “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean.” All’s well that ends with wedding bells.
With this series, youngsters will find reading smooth sailing and look forward to future escapades. Next up: The circus tours Europe! (Graphic/fiction hybrid. 7-10)Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-61620-365-8
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Algonquin
Review Posted Online: July 15, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2014
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by Kate Klise ; illustrated by M. Sarah Klise
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by Kate Klise ; illustrated by M. Sarah Klise
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by Kate Klise ; illustrated by M. Sarah Klise
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