Problematic for library shelves but a keepsake likely to inspire repeat browsing.
A menagerie of magical creatures from the movie worlds of Harry Potter and Newt Scamander.
Like Jody Revenson’s Extraordinary People and Fascinating Places (2016), this album features spare assortments of flimsy pop-ups, stickers, and detachable character cards along with sheaves of film stills, sketches, concept art, and glimpses behind the scenes. In the narrative portion, Zahed occasionally gets away from the typical companion volume’s standard-issue puffery, though, to offer insights into the real animals that portrayed or inspired the 49 creatures profiled here. Fans of the Potterverse will welcome the chance to see beasts and beings from Nifflers and Murtlaps to Swooping Evil, Centaurs, and creepy Inferi posing for close inspection the way they never did in the films. And even nonfans of the Potterverse (if there are any) may be intrigued to discover that Hagrid’s mastiff, Fang, was played by six live dogs and a drooling animatronic version, for instance, or that designers studied the facial features of rhinos, snakes, lizards, and tortoises—plus “an angry Doberman pinscher”—before crafting the Hungarian Horntail dragon.
Problematic for library shelves but a keepsake likely to inspire repeat browsing. (folded poster) (Novelty. 7-11)Pub Date: March 14, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9583-5
Page Count: 104
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 30, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2017
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape.
The fourth installment in Delacre’s early-reader series centers on the rich musical traditions of Puerto Rico, once again featuring sibling tree frogs Rafi and Rosi Coquí.
Readers learn along with Rafi and Rosi as they explore bomba, plena, and salsa in three chapters. A glossary at the beginning sets readers up well to understand the Spanish vocabulary, including accurate phoneticization for non-Spanish speakers. The stories focus on Rafi and Rosi’s relationship within a musical context. For example, in one chapter Rafi finds out that he attracts a larger audience playing his homemade güiro with Rosi’s help even though he initially excluded her: “Big brothers only.” Even when he makes mistakes, as the older brother, Rafi consoles Rosi when she is embarrassed or angry at him. In each instance, their shared joy for music and dance ultimately shines through any upsets—a valuable reflection of unity. Informational backmatter and author’s sources are extensive. Undoubtedly these will help teachers, librarians, and parents to develop Puerto Rican cultural programs, curriculum, or home activities to extend young readers’ learning. The inclusion of instructions to make one’s own homemade güiro is a thoughtful addition. The Spanish translation, also by Delacre and published simultaneously, will require a more advanced reader than the English one to recognize and comprehend contractions (“pa’bajo-pa-pa’rriba”) and relatively sophisticated vocabulary.
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape. (Early reader. 7-9)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-89239-429-6
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Children's Book Press
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
Having put together a band with renowned cousin Duck Ellington and singer “Bee” Holiday, Rooster’s chances sure look...
Winning actually isn’t everything, as jazz-happy Rooster learns when he goes up against the legendary likes of Mules Davis and Ella Finchgerald at the barnyard talent show.
Having put together a band with renowned cousin Duck Ellington and singer “Bee” Holiday, Rooster’s chances sure look good—particularly after his “ ‘Hen from Ipanema’ [makes] / the barnyard chickies swoon.”—but in the end the competition is just too stiff. No matter: A compliment from cool Mules and the conviction that he still has the world’s best band soon puts the strut back in his stride. Alexander’s versifying isn’t always in tune (“So, he went to see his cousin, / a pianist of great fame…”), and despite his moniker Rooster plays an electric bass in Bower’s canted country scenes. Children are unlikely to get most of the jokes liberally sprinkled through the text, of course, so the adults sharing it with them should be ready to consult the backmatter, which consists of closing notes on jazz’s instruments, history and best-known musicians.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-58536-688-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2011
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