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GROUNDHOG GETS A SAY

Name: GROUNDHOG GETS A SAY
Author: Pamela Curtis Swallow
ISBN: 0-399-23876-X

by Pamela Curtis Swallow & illustrated by Denise Brunkus ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 2005

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It’s Feb. 3rd and no one is paying any attention to Groundhog when just yesterday everyone wanted his weather report. Tired of this happening every year, Groundhog sets out to prove his worth. He launches into a lecture, hitting the high points of Groundhog habits, anatomy and lore. Initially, Squirrel and Crow are skeptical, but after the explanation of hibernation, both admit that groundhogs aka whistle pigs aka woodchucks are pretty cool. In the end, it seems, Groundhog gets his wish with the publication of his (this) book. Swallow makes learning about these members of the marmot family a hoot with her easy-to-read text and cheeky comments from Crow and Squirrel. In her watercolor-and-pencil illustrations, Brunkus imbues Groundhog with as much aplomb as she regularly does Junie B. Jones. Nonfiction of this quality that can be read as a picture book is rare. A wonderful update to your tired old Groundhog Day section, this begs to be performed as reader’s theater. (Picture book. 5-10)

Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2005

ISBN: 0-399-23876-X

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2005

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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WHERE DO FROGS COME FROM?

by Alex Vern & illustrated by Alex Vern ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2001

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The lifecycle of the frog is succinctly summarized in this easy reader for children reading at the late first-grade level. In just one or two sentences per page, Vern details the amazing metamorphosis of the frog from egg to tadpole to adult, even injecting a little humor despite the tight word count. (“Watch out fly! Mmmm!) Large, full-color photographs on white backgrounds clearly illustrate each phase of development. Without any mention of laying eggs or fertilization, the title might be a bit misleading, but the development from black dot egg to full-grown frog is fascinating. A simple chart of the three main lifecycle steps is also included. Lifecycles are part of the standard curriculum in the early elementary grades, and this will be a welcome addition to school and public libraries, both for its informational value and as an easy reader. (Nonfiction/easy reader. 5-7)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2001

ISBN: 0-15-216304-2

Page Count: 20

Publisher: Green Light/Harcourt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2001

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

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CODY HARMON, KING OF PETS

From the Franklin School Friends series

by Claudia Mills ; illustrated by Rob Shepperson ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 14, 2016

Another winner from Mills, equally well suited to reading aloud and independent reading.

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When Franklin School principal Mr. Boone announces a pet-show fundraiser, white third-grader Cody—whose lack of skill and interest in academics is matched by keen enthusiasm for and knowledge of animals—discovers his time to shine.

As with other books in this series, the children and adults are believable and well-rounded. Even the dialogue is natural—no small feat for a text easily accessible to intermediate readers. Character growth occurs, organically and believably. Students occasionally, humorously, show annoyance with teachers: “He made mad squinty eyes at Mrs. Molina, which fortunately she didn’t see.” Readers will be kept entertained by Cody’s various problems and the eventual solutions. His problems include needing to raise $10 to enter one of his nine pets in the show (he really wants to enter all of them), his troublesome dog Angus—“a dog who ate homework—actually, who ate everything and then threw up afterward”—struggles with homework, and grappling with his best friend’s apparently uncaring behavior toward a squirrel. Serious values and issues are explored with a light touch. The cheery pencil illustrations show the school’s racially diverse population as well as the memorable image of Mr. Boone wearing an elephant costume. A minor oddity: why does a child so immersed in animal facts call his male chicken a rooster but his female chickens chickens?

Another winner from Mills, equally well suited to reading aloud and independent reading. (Fiction. 7-10)