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TOMCAT TAKES A WALK

Name: TOMCAT TAKES A WALK
Author: Pippa Unwin
ISBN: 0-86264-705-3

by Pippa Unwin & illustrated by Pippa Unwin ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 15, 1998

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This handsome book tells of a tomcat’s adventurous week while Taffy, his owner, is away. The story is told with an easy grace, in multiple frames per page, following the days of the week. The setting is a small English village and most of the action revolves around the tomcat finding a suitable place to snooze, none of which, of course, are particularly appropriate: a knapsack, a letter carrier’s bag, a kayak, the tray at the bottom of a stroller—each one transporting the cat to a new locale where he finds treats or raises havoc. He also has a wild streak, stealing a fish and having a dust up with a dog, which chases him all the way to the train station and right into the arms of his returning owner. Unwin uses words sparingly and simply—“Tomcat is lonely without Taffy. Who’s that walking past? Tomcat follows the walkers to the teashop”—and there is dialogue in balloons within the illustrations, giving the various places a sense of activity and life. The artwork has a lovely knack for capturing classic feline movements, as well as the hollyhocks and window boxes of cottages in the English countryside. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Aug. 15, 1998

ISBN: 0-86264-705-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Collins & Brown/Trafalgar

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1998

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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TOO MANY TOYS

by David Shannon & illustrated by David Shannon ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2008

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Spencer owns a multitude of toys: old toys and new ones, big toys and small ones, bath toys, wooden toys, board games, computer games, miniature cars and trucks, musical instruments, stuffed animals and action figures. They are everywhere, including on the floor where his parents can trip on them. One day, Spencer’s mom has had enough and announces that some of the toys have to go. Shaken, Spencer cries, “BUT I LOVE THEM ALL!” There’s no stopping Spencer’s mom, however, who says she will help and proves to be a worthy adversary when Spencer attempts to make deals. Snappy dialogue and an absolutely on-target understanding of the psyches of both mother and child make the negotiation scene absolutely priceless. Will they both make it through the harrowing task before them? The elaborate, child-friendly pictures perfectly capture Spencer’s world, zeroing in on the chaos with glee and then pulling back to demonstrate graphically the traumas suffered by both adults and child in the process. Shannon’s sardonic wit will strike a chord with parents and children alike. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2008

ISBN: 978-0-439-49029-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Blue Sky/Scholastic

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2008

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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by David Shannon ; illustrated by David Shannon

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by David Shannon ; illustrated by David Shannon

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by David Shannon ; illustrated by David Shannon

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THE GRUFFALO

by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Axel Scheffler ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1999

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The action of this rhymed and humorous tale centers upon a mouse who "took a stroll/through the deep dark wood./A fox saw the mouse/and the mouse looked good." The mouse escapes being eaten by telling the fox that he is on his way to meet his friend the gruffalo (a monster of his imagination), whose favorite food is roasted fox. The fox beats a hasty retreat. Similar escapes are in store for an owl and a snake; both hightail it when they learn the particulars: tusks, claws, terrible jaws, eyes orange, tongue black, purple prickles on its back. When the gruffalo suddenly materializes out of the mouse's head and into the forest, the mouse has to think quick, declaring himself inedible as the "scariest creature in the deep dark wood," and inviting the gruffalo to follow him to witness the effect he has on the other creatures. When the gruffalo hears that the mouse's favorite food is gruffalo crumble, he runs away. It's a fairly innocuous tale, with twists that aren't sharp enough and treachery that has no punch. Scheffler's funny scenes prevent the suspense from culminating; all his creatures, predator and prey, are downright lovable. (Picture book. 3-6)