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BOTTLES BREAK

Name: BOTTLES BREAK
Author: Nancy María Grande Tabor
ISBN: 0-88106-317-7

by Nancy María Grande Tabor ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1999

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An earnest and overwrought attempt at bibliotherapy, with strikingly fine illustrations. A child describes bottles, lots of bottles: “My mom leaves bottles all over the place.” Bottles come in many shapes and colors, the child says, like the people who drink from them, but inside, those bottles all hold alcohol. The child tells us “I want it to be me and my mom. But NO BOTTLES.” A teacher sees something the narrator has written, and encourages the child to do things that help, “like ride my bike, read a book” when a parent is drinking. The text never rises above this level of awkwardness. The illustrations, however—brightly colored tissue-paper silhouettes on a white background—are marvelous. The figures of both adult alcoholics, the teacher, and the child are faceless but clearly portray attitudes of sorrow, loneliness, or concern. The bottles, whole or broken, take on a somewhat sinister life, conveying the child’s feelings toward them. The book ends with addresses, telephone numbers, and web sites where children of alcoholics can get help. (Picture book. 5-8)

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-88106-317-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Charlesbridge

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
CELEBRATIONS/CELEBRACIONES
by Nancy María Grande Tabor & illustrated by Nancy María Grande Tabor

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MY FRIEND AND I

by Lisa Jahn-Clough & illustrated by Lisa Jahn-Clough ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1999

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A skirmish over a favorite stuffed rabbit nearly destroys a friendship and the toy itself, but well-timed physical and emotional bandaging saves the day. When a little boy moves in next door to a little girl they quickly becomes friends and start sharing toys. This works well for cars, trucks, bears, and balls, but when the boy shows up with a new stuffed rabbit, cooperation goes out the window. In the ensuing tug-of-rabbit, each child yanks on the poor bunny’s ears until the stitching gives way. Figuring out a way to repair the rabbit also eventually patches up the friendship. Minor battles rage in homes and preschools everywhere, so children and adults alike will appreciate this subtle example of a peaceful resolution to toy disputes. Jahn-Clough’s pleasantly stubby children convey both healthy loud-mouthed anger and substantial charm. (Picture book. 3-8)

Pub Date: March 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-395-93545-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
THE KIDS OF CATTYWAMPUS STREET
by Lisa Jahn-Clough ; illustrated by Natalie Andrewson

- BOOK REVIEW
NOTHING BUT BLUE
by Lisa Jahn-Clough

- BOOK REVIEW
FELICITY & CORDELIA
by Lisa Jahn-Clough & illustrated by Lisa Jahn-Clough

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DAVID GOES TO SCHOOL

by David Shannon ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1999

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The poster boy for relentless mischief-makers everywhere, first encountered in No, David! (1998), gives his weary mother a rest by going to school. Naturally, he’s tardy, and that’s but the first in a long string of offenses—“Sit down, David! Keep your hands to yourself! PAY ATTENTION!”—that culminates in an afterschool stint. Children will, of course, recognize every line of the text and every one of David’s moves, and although he doesn’t exhibit the larger- than-life quality that made him a tall-tale anti-hero in his first appearance, his round-headed, gap-toothed enthusiasm is still endearing. For all his disruptive behavior, he shows not a trace of malice, and it’ll be easy for readers to want to encourage his further exploits. (Picture book. 5-7)