Naylor continues her series featuring “Idea Girl” Sarah Simpson in a pigeon disaster that takes place outside her Chicago apartment window. Sarah hopes to keep Coo and Cuckoo, occasionally perched on her ledge, as her own pets. But she’s disappointed to discover their newly made nest in an old flower pot that rests on an opposite sill outside a neighboring apartment building. Making friends with the new Hispanic children living in the competing apartment, Sarah is determined to work something out. Her selfish concern for the birds, however, only escalates when a couple of aggressive pigeons attack their nest. Naylor masterfully creates parallel rivalry and a workable solution to both Sarah’s distress and the birds’ conflict in simple-to-read large print. Her assortment of young, multicultural city residents with Sarah leading the way will appeal to youngsters just making the transition into early chapter books. Ink-and-wash drawings add visual appeal. (Fiction. 7-9)
Pub Date: April 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-7614-5285-0
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2006
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
PLB 0-7358-1055-9 Buddy is the new dog on the block, a chartreuse pudge-ball of immense visual appeal. His problem is that he can’t make any friends; every creature in the vicinity—mouse to sheep, cats, rabbits, and even other dogs—either leaves him, glowers at him, or chases him off. Buddy, reduced to tears, is approached by a sympathetic fox. When Buddy relates that nobody seems to like him, the fox suggests he ask why, a question that demands courage. The fox accompanies Buddy on his friendship quest, and, as in Mike McClintock’s classic A Fly Went By (1958), it turns out to be a case of mistaken intentions—the cats thought Buddy was going to attack them, the sheep thought he was going to herd them, and so forth. Once things get straightened out, they all become friends. Krischanitz’s message—that making that second effort is fraught with emotional landmines, but might be worth the effort—is a noble one, and that it was recommended by a fox will give it the seal of approval with children. The artwork is stellar, a feast of highly expressive imagery. (Picture book. 4-7)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7358-1054-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
to togetherness. Friendly. (Easy reader. 6-8)
Diversion centering around a tree marks three seasons of a friendship in this book of short chapters and simple vocabulary
intended for beginning readers. In "Leaves," sheep comrades Blanche and Otis rake falling leaves and are about to dump them when Blanche bemoans the lack of leaves in her own yard, which has only a pine tree. Otis rigs the bags of leaves with string in Blanche’s tree and surprises her with falling leaves. In "The Storm," sadly, Otis’s tree falls over, but in "Christmas," Blanche builds chairs out of logs from the tree as a gift. "Spring" arrives and the two sheep plant and tend a new pine tree, which quickly provides a home to baby birds. Quiet action, soft colors, and understated expressions characterize this unassuming collection of humble happenings. The characters are not defined as distinct individuals, rather it is their esprit de corps that effects the warmth of these tales dedicated
to togetherness. Friendly. (Easy reader. 6-8)Pub Date: March 15, 2000
ISBN: 0-8234-1376-4
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2000
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