A boy asks again and again, “Is it summer yet?” Rather than giving him a simple “No,” his mother points to encouraging changes that signify summer’s imminent arrival: the earth softening, buds appearing, apple blossoms blooming. McClure’s intricate cut-paper illustrations compel rapt readers to examine the artwork thoroughly, looking for tiny signs of seasonal shifts in a woodsy world of seeds, squirrels, swallows and ducks. Black-and-white reliefs capture tender mother-son outdoor activities and offer isolated instances of color (pink petals, yellow duck bills) that quicken readers’ eyes, alerting them to progress. Still the boy wonders, “Is it summer yet?” Mama always replies, “Not yet, my love,” and softens his disappointment by reasserting her constant affection. This repeated exchange occurs throughout, allowing readers to fully appreciate both the boy’s prolonged, wistful yearning and the mother’s unflagging love. This gentle call and response between child and parent will lull young listeners and remind them of their own connections to caregivers. When summer finally explodes, bringing juicy berries and abundant sunshine, mother and boy luxuriate in a baby pool, glad to have made the journey together. (Picture book. 2-6)
Pub Date: May 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-8109-8468-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: April 6, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Great for storytime or for little monkeys who need encouragement to run around.
Every little monkey needs to get up and move!
“Sleepy Little Monkey / Won’t get out of bed. // Mama called the Doctor / And the Doctor said: / ‘Apple Juice, / Orange Juice, / Gooseberry Pies— / Monkey needs / some exercise!’ ” Little Monkey pops out of bed and, after dressing, does some quick calisthenics. “First you get the rhythm of the head: / Ding-Dong! // Have you got the rhythm of the head? / Ding-Dong!” A sway of the head accompanies each ding-dong. Then there’s a clap and a stomp. There’s some hip shaking. “Put them all together / You’ll be feeling so much better.” Monkey goes through the movements forward and backward and gives a cheer. “Spunky Little Monkey / Ready for the day. / Come on, Monkey— / LET’S GO PLAY!” A frequent collaborator of the deceased Martin’s, Sampson turns out a rhythmic invitation to wiggle in the morning. The text's catchy enough that little monkeys will want to hear it again and simple enough they’ll learn it quickly. Won’s big, bright digital illustrations (made from scanned watercolor washes) feature an adorable, rosy-cheeked monkey of indeterminate gender in jean shorts and striped T-shirt going through the motions before running off with animal friends. It may be a bit unclear exactly what motions are called for each time, but Little Monkey's moving, and that's the point.
Great for storytime or for little monkeys who need encouragement to run around. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Jan. 3, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-545-77643-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Sept. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2016
A little red bird meets a lion and wonders why the end of his tail is a different color each day. The lion can't understand the bird's chirping questions, but he likes her cheerful company, and so they wander amiably together through fields and hills and splash in a mountain lake. One night, the gentle lion rescues the bird from a storm and brings her into his warm cave, which is decorated with paintings of the places they've seen together—paintings that the lion has made using the end of his tail as a brush. This joyous tale about the wordless discoveries of friendship is illustrated with mixed-media collages so richly colored and textured that readers will want to feel the pages. As in Abuela, the backgrounds, like medieval tapestries, are rich with flora, fauna, and other detail and spangled like the decorative paintings of Klimt. Enchanting. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: May 1, 1992
ISBN: 0-525-44898-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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