An anthology of original poems and flavorfully adapted folk tales and rhymes, carefully sourced and credited. There's a Babush in a boot with "too many children,/who cried with a hoot," and one who glared at the boy who kissed the girl who milked the cow on "The Train to Ivanovo." Babushka pulls Diadushka, who's pulling on a giant turnip; and Babushka is also the old lady with the millions of cats who "loved her ever more." Some of the weaker selections are those with a message, but Polacco (Pink and Say, 1994, etc.) conjures pure nonsense (Pum-a-doodle./Soup bag, pebble webble.'') that is pure magic. Mother Goose's high spirits reside in this Russian fare, accompanied by boldly painted scenes of people and animals dashing around and happily kicking up claws, paws, and heels. (Picture book/folklore. 3-7)
Pub Date: Sept. 12, 1995
ISBN: 0-399-22747-4
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1995
Anna is eating in an orderly manner until a rambunctious dragon bursts from the cereal box and begins to romp about the breakfast table, squishing through the butter, juggling a soft- boiled egg, and challenging Anna to blow cocoa back at him; Anna complies just as her horrified mother walks in. This German import has not only a cute little dragon, but the perennial appeal of someone else making a forbidden mess. The best moment, though, is the surprise finish—when the mischief-maker's polite but enormous parent arrives, looking for her son like any other neighbor. Baumgart's watercolor illustrations are lively, funny, and unclichÇd. Good, light fun. (Picture book. 3-7)
Pub Date: April 1, 1992
ISBN: 1-56282-166-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
In a 12-line poem that continues in the pattern set in the eponymous first two lines, Blos moves from the literal to the less obvious—either conceptual or poetic—concluding with ``A thought, a poem./A house, a home!'' A page turn between the first and second half of each line turns the verse into an amusing guessing game, especially with the addition of Poppel's vibrant, freely rendered watercolors. This would make an attractive participatory interlude at storytime. (Picture book. 4-7)
Pub Date: April 2, 1992
ISBN: 0-671-73214-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1992
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