by Nancy Poydar & illustrated by Nancy Poydar ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2008
Violet has chosen a bright pink backpack on wheels with so many openings with zippers and snaps that she doesn’t really know what to do with them all, and—uh-oh. Where is the homework assignment that she thought she had zipped into the backpack? The descriptions of Violet’s sudden drop from excitement to panic to dread approaches the universal in their evocation of the inner confusion and misery that a small mistake can bring to a young child. Gently and realistically, the bright, eye-popping illustrations suggest that everyday ordinary life goes on despite Violet’s drooping body language and worried expressions. Poydar expertly shows her understanding of children, the creative orderly school environment and a teacher (aptly named Ms. Patience) ready to help teach the importance of truth. “I kept the truth zipped up,” says Violet. “But did you lose the truth?” asks Ms. Patience. “No,” Violet replies. Great visual details—check out Ms. Patience’s ankle tattoo and the subtle face incorporated into the backpack’s many pockets—and pointed text make for a worthwhile read. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2090-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2008
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by Andrew Clements & illustrated by R.W. Alley ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 23, 2005
Give this child’s-eye view of a day at the beach with an attentive father high marks for coziness: “When your ball blows across the sand and into the ocean and starts to drift away, your daddy could say, Didn’t I tell you not to play too close to the waves? But he doesn’t. He wades out into the cold water. And he brings your ball back to the beach and plays roll and catch with you.” Alley depicts a moppet and her relaxed-looking dad (to all appearances a single parent) in informally drawn beach and domestic settings: playing together, snuggling up on the sofa and finally hugging each other goodnight. The third-person voice is a bit distancing, but it makes the togetherness less treacly, and Dad’s mix of love and competence is less insulting, to parents and children both, than Douglas Wood’s What Dads Can’t Do (2000), illus by Doug Cushman. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: May 23, 2005
ISBN: 0-618-00361-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2005
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by Andrew Clements & illustrated by Mark Elliott
by David Shannon ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1999
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)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-590-48087-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1999
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