Readers learn a lesson about friendship, self-esteem, and the Italian language in Grant’s noteworthy debut. Set in Tuscany, the story revolves around a crow and a weasel. “This is such a grande job for a piccolo crow,” the weasel says when he sees Crow preparing to plant corn. “But if I help—presto!—the job will be done, and when harvest comes we can split the crop.” Soon, the two sow seeds together. But when it comes time to tend the field, Weasel flakes out. First, he complains of a broken leg. When he adds a sore back to the list of ailments, Crow gets wise. Goodell’s (Zigazak!: A Magical Hannukah Night, 2001, etc.) lush, naturalistic portraiture pictures Crow rushing to save the harvest from the oncoming storm. He collects the crop overnight, but when he wakes up the next morning, only husks are left. Tones of terra cotta brown and buttery yellow warm the double-paged spread as Crow confronts Weasel. “I divided our crop,” explains Weasel, kicking back against a mountain of freshly shucked corn. “And you get the husks!” Infuriated, Crow enlists the services of a snarling wolf. But when they get to Weasel’s den, Crow goes ballistic, driving Weasel away without the wolf’s help, proving once and for all that size doesn’t count when it comes to standing up for yourself. Young readers—especially those small in stature—will appreciate Grant’s positive message about self-reliance and standing up for your rights. Italian words, easily understood in context, appear throughout; a glossary is also included. (Picture book. 5-8)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2002
ISBN: 0-375-80607-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2002
Rylant (Henry and Mudge and the Sneaky Crackers, 1998, etc.) slips into a sentimental mode for this latest outing of the boy and his dog, as she sends Mudge and Henry and his parents off on a camping trip. Each character is attended to, each personality sketched in a few brief words: Henry's mother is the camping veteran with outdoor savvy; Henry's father doesn't know a tent stake from a marshmallow fork, but he's got a guitar for campfire entertainment; and the principals are their usual ready-for-fun selves. There are sappy moments, e.g., after an evening of star- gazing, Rylant sends the family off to bed with: ``Everyone slept safe and sound and there were no bears, no scares. Just the clean smell of trees . . . and wonderful green dreams.'' With its nice tempo, the story is as toasty as its campfire and swaddled in Stevenson's trusty artwork. (Fiction. 6-8)
Pub Date: April 1, 1998
ISBN: 0-689-81175-6
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1998
Say hello to a relatable and rewarding early reader!
Fun with friends makes for a great day.
Norbit, a salmon-colored worm with a pink kerchief, joyfully greets the day and everyone he encounters. “Hello, friends! It’s time for fun with the sun! Let’s play!” He and his menagerie of forest pals—including the sun, who grows limbs and descends from the sky—exuberantly engage in various forms of physical activity such as jumping, going down a slide, spinning around, and watching the clouds go by. Young readers will readily relate, as these are games that most children are familiar with. As day turns to night, Norbit says farewell to Sun and welcomes Moon with an invitation to continue the fun. Watkins has created a vivid world of movement and merriment. Her illustrations feature bright bursts of color that match the energy of the text, with most sentences ending in an exclamation point. The author/illustrator incorporates many elements that make for an ideal early-reading experience (despite the use of a contraction or two): art free from clutter, text consisting of words with only one or two syllables, and repetition and recurring bits, such as a continued game of hide-and-seek with Sun. Inspired by never-before-seen sketches from the Dr. Seuss Collection archives at the University of California San Diego, this is the first title for Seuss Studios, a new imprint for original stories from “emerging authors and illustrators” who “honor Seuss’s hallmark spirit of creativity and imagination.”
Say hello to a relatable and rewarding early reader! (author's note) (Early reader. 5-8)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9780593646212
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Seuss Studios
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2024
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