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 0-7358-1050-8 This tale of sudden riches from Falda (The Angel and the Child, 1995, etc.) examines the true meaning of friendship. When Owl sees Squirrel unearth a treasure chest, he quickly notifies the other forest creatures. Together, Rabbit, Mole, Badger, and Bear try to envision the contents of the chest. Falda whimsically describes the creatures’ dearest desires—from carrots for Rabbit to glasses for Mole. Owl disdainfully discounts these fanciful notions, informing the animals that treasure chests are always full of gold and other riches. He also believes that such riches are certain to alter Squirrel, as wealth has often led to the demise of friendships. Alarmed, the animals rush off to discover Squirrel’s intentions; Squirrel has converted his treasure trove of seeds and nuts into a cake for all of his friends. Falda prevents sentiment from overwhelming the charming forest setting and the cast of imaginative, endearing friends. (Picture book. 4-7)
Pub Date: April 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7358-1049-4
Page Count: 26
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The scope of a girl’s world broadens in this simple book that introduces the scale of existence, in a game of identity and location that most children have played. “My name is Maria Mendoza,” the intimate text begins. “I live with my father, my mother, my baby brother, Tony, and my older sister, Angelica at number 43 Juniper street.” Maria goes on to name her place in her town, county, state, country, continent, hemisphere, planet, solar system, galaxy, and universe, knowing that as small as it may be in comparison, her immediate world is significant. She is still Maria Mendoza, “from here to there.” Cuyler’s plain text is laden with meaning for new readers; she allows them to draw their own conclusions, which they will. Pak’s bright colors and perspective help children keep track of Maria’s place in the universe, and with folksy familiarity, take the vistas from local to grand. (Picture book, 3-6)
Pub Date: April 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-8050-3191-X
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1999
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