Despite the gimmick, likely to draw no more than flecks of interest from either truck fans or muck fans.
Can anyone help Billy Bear get his truck out of the deep mud?
No question about it, Billy’s truck is thoroughly mired—“The big wheels turn and spray and churn / in the thick and gloopy muck.” But the rhyme seems to be driving the plot rather than the other way round. Following a comical but random scramble in which a gaggle of eager sheep drives a tractor into the adjacent pond and Clara Cow tumbles down the hill with the farmer’s rake, all the animals get together to “push and pull,” “lug and tug” (pushing is all that’s going on in the art, though) until “the truck’s unstuck!” Despite lots of spattered mud in Truong’s neatly drawn pictures, somehow none of it sticks to either the truck or any of the animals except (sometimes) the pig. Moreover, four leaves feature framed dissolves that transform the cartoon scene when the cover or a large flap is lifted open, but the moving parts are so poorly integrated with the illustrations that odd fragments are left hanging on most of the tabs. As for the storyline, pull out Marie Hall Ets’ classic Elephant in a Well (1972) or any version of “The Great Big Enormous Turnip” for a better telling.
Despite the gimmick, likely to draw no more than flecks of interest from either truck fans or muck fans. (Pop-up picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-68010-001-3
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: June 28, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2015
It’s a tiger, and it’s sure to be a hit.
This metafictive romp follows a child who encounters, flees from and then befriends a tiger.
The protagonist’s direct address and gaze immediately engage readers with the question, “Are you ready for a story?” Ensuing pages deliver a hide-and-seek narrative as the child spies: a tiger’s tail amid swinging monkeys; its shadow hidden in a bat cave; its tail hidden among slithering snakes; and its body camouflaged by flowers. The tiger seems less than fearsome, but the child nevertheless flees when it appears disguised as a ship's captain, and again when it emerges with a roar from a treasure chest. But, lo and behold, the tiger isn’t roaring after all; it’s only yawning. “If we scratch his ears and rub his belly, maybe he’ll go to sleep,” the child says. “Better yet, let’s tell him a story.” A page turn finds the child back at the opening scene with the monkeys to start the story again. This time, however, a crocodile tail (rather than the initial scene’s tiger tail) hangs from above, delivering a punch line that promises another race through the jungle, if a rather obvious quasi-resolution. Throughout, Tankard’s vibrant ink and digitally rendered illustrations express the excitement and fun of the story, elevating the exuberant text to ideal storytime fare.
It’s a tiger, and it’s sure to be a hit. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8118-6925-6
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: June 12, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2012
Smart and accessible, charming and witty, this is one for educators and adventurers alike.
Hall cleverly plays with homophones in this diverting word adventure.
Three curious cats, propelled by their imaginations, bring books to life as they traverse spacious, white spreads. Together they “flee a steer,” “steer a plane,” “plane a board” and “board a train.” Each sentence or scenario offers hints of what’s to come. Discerning compositions and a rhyming text further drive the momentum until, alas! The words’ many meanings confound these friendly felines. Humorous permutations ensue as the kitties try to untangle their tales. After they successfully "shoo a truly naughty gnu," (it's munching shoes—truly naughty indeed!), things go sadly awry. "They use their paws to rock a squashberry! Rock a squashberry?" Once back on track, they befriend a bear, sail a whale and ultimately find comfort and contentment in words. Digitally collaged illustrations with appealing characters pop from the page. The artwork, simple in its appearance yet interwoven with the text with utmost sophistication, playfully offers the easiest and funniest lesson on homophones possible, inviting repeat readings and likely inspiring continuing silliness.
Smart and accessible, charming and witty, this is one for educators and adventurers alike. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-06-191516-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: July 17, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2012
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