An animal puzzle book with appeal for the picture-book set. For each of seven black-and-white animals showcased (zebra, orca, panda, loon, skunk, penguin, African mocker swallowtail butterfly), a riddle accompanies a partial view of the creature, e.g., ``I live in the misty mountains far, far to the east. I love to chew bamboo.'' Readers are invited to guess ``What am I?'' A turn of the page leads to the entire animal and additional information. Alas, the panda is sitting in a tree, but it is not bamboo. The riddles are not especially challenging although the vocabulary is (flutter, nectar, tissue, dolphin) for the audience that will have the most fun with this book. A ``Did you know?'' section offers additional facts. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-88106-960-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
In two short stories, Golembe (Dog Magic, 1997) chronicles the relocation of Annabelle, a puppy, from the frozen tundra to the warm tropics, thereby addressing the wide range of emotions involved in moving. Annabelle likes her old home and all the routines associated with it; she’s consequently bewildered when her family packs everything up and movers take their belongings away. While Annabelle has settled into her new home, she is lonely and finds it difficult to make new acquaintances. “She saw dogs who looked strange to her, not like the dogs in her old neighborhood.” A romp at a local dog beach provides the opportunity for Annabelle to find friendship. Golembe’s illustrations are a panorama of lush tropical colors—vivid fuchsias, deep indigos, and rich azure hues entice the eye. Her sympathetic treatment of the subject and the positive resolution offers encouragement for children immersed in the turmoil of moving. (Picture book. 2-6)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-395-91543-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
Cuddly illustrations accompany a weak, pointless story of one character’s transition from tough guy to tenderheart. Toestomper and his friends the Rowdy Ruffians, a rough-and-tough band of rodent and reptile characters, like to act “mean, rude, and disgusting.” When Toestomper stumbles upon a bush of caterpillars, he stomps the bush flat, leaving the caterpillars homeless. Toestomper’s change of heart is without logic or motivation; he uncharacteristically offers them water and a soft bed, and adopts them as new friends, to the disgust of his longtime pals. The mixed message of the finale implies that Toestomper and his new pals always cheat at cards in order to beat the Rowdy Ruffians. The mediocre thinking behind the story outweighs any charm found in the illustrations; the contrast between the cozy, pet-like animals and their bullying behavior is funny, but it’s an effect that is wasted here. (Picture book. 3-7)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-395-91168-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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