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HAM THE ASTROCHIMP

Name: HAM THE ASTROCHIMP
Author: Richard Hilliard
ISBN: 978-1-59078-459-4

by Richard Hilliard & illustrated by Richard Hilliard ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2007

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Paying tribute to the “first truly intelligent being” in space, Hilliard traces the flight and later life of the chimpanzee sent aloft in a Mercury capsule in 1961. Expanding on his main narrative with longer comments in running sidebars, the author emphasizes Ham’s intelligence and good nature throughout, and adds an element of drama to the tale, as Ham’s capsule nearly sank before it could be hauled out of the ocean. The stodgy but accurately detailed paintings alternate between views of the capsule and close-up shots of the smiling chimp. As a way of sparking interest in the space race’s early days, this makes a more triumphant episode to highlight than the U.S.’s early failures chronicled in Heather Feldman’s Sputnik, the First Satellite (2003) or the tragic events of Nick Abadzis’s graphic treatment of the Soviet mission, Laika (September 2007). (Picture book/nonfiction. 7-9)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2007

ISBN: 978-1-59078-459-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Boyds Mills

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2007

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

- BOOK REVIEW
MAMMOTH BONES AND BROKEN STONES
by David L. Harrison & illustrated by Richard Hilliard

- BOOK REVIEW
LUCKY 13
by Richard Hilliard & illustrated by Richard Hilliard

- BOOK REVIEW
GODSPEED, JOHN GLENN
by Richard Hilliard & illustrated by Richard Hilliard

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THE DAY MY DOGS BECAME GUYS

by Merrill Markoe ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1999

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Readers who ever hoped that their pets could become people will embrace this silly fantasy from Markoe (for adults, Merrill Markoe’s Guide to Love, 1997, etc.). “I wish they were people, so we could make them understand things once and for all,” Carey complains about his three unruly pooches. When an eerie eclipse happens, Carey’s wish comes true; there’s no teaching these old dogs new tricks, even when they are people (and not all the “guys” of the title). Ed, Dee Dee, and Butch still chase after cars, harass squirrels, and eat Carey out of house and home, then magically transform back into dogs just before Carey’s mother returns to the scene. The dogs never learn their lesson, Carey nobly takes the rap, and he learns to be more careful about his wishes. Brace hilariously captures the tongue-wagging canine-turned-human trio with off-kilter perspectives that fill this offbeat look at a dog’s life with fun. (Picture book. 5-8)

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-670-85344-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

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CALICO'S COUSINS

CATS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1999

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Calico the cat introduces 22 varieties of domestic cats from around the world. The familiar Persian, Siamese, and American Shorthair are here as well as the more exotic Chartreux, Birman, Munchkin, and Sphynx. For each one Tildes provides a brief paragraph of information accompanied by a charming full-color picture; Calico appears on each page as a thumb-sized guide. While serious cat fanciers will want more specific information than is given here, children will enjoy browsing this introduction, which concludes with a map indicating where different breeds originated. (Picture book. 6-9)