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GRANDMA'S HAT

Name: GRANDMA'S HAT
Author: Rosemary Kahn
ISBN: 0-670-84023-8

by Rosemary Kahn & illustrated by Terry Milne ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1991

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In a book from South Africa, Grandma tells a favorite story about her childhood, when hats were obligatory on Sunday. Her mother had bought a her particularly ugly hat—''it looked just like a potty turned upside down'' and was ``a horrible yellowy- mustard color.'' Fortunately, the family car was a convertible, and Grandma managed to let the hated hat blow away. Her mama was upset, but Papa proved to be silently sympathetic. Later, after the hat was rediscovered on a friend's scarecrow, the whole family joined in the merriment when Papa said, ``no bird would dare come near that dreadful hat!'' It's good to have such a warm family story from a country whose books are rarely represented here. In soft pencil and watercolor, Milne's art nicely evokes the setting in its many details, including Papa's general store (where the book's one black, a wistful-looking child, is seen from the back) and the flat, dusty landscape and utilitarian homes of the Karoo. (Picture book. 3-8)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1991

ISBN: 0-670-84023-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1991

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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A DOG NAMED SAM

by Janice Boland & illustrated by G. Brian Karas ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1996

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A book that will make young dog-owners smile in recognition and confirm dogless readers' worst suspicions about the mayhem caused by pets, even winsome ones. Sam, who bears passing resemblance to an affable golden retriever, is praised for fetching the family newspaper, and goes on to fetch every other newspaper on the block. In the next story, only the children love Sam's swimming; he is yelled at by lifeguards and fishermen alike when he splashes through every watering hole he can find. Finally, there is woe to the entire family when Sam is bored and lonely for one long night. Boland has an essential message, captured in both both story and illustrations of this Easy-to-Read: Kids and dogs belong together, especially when it's a fun-loving canine like Sam. An appealing tale. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: April 1, 1996

ISBN: 0-8037-1530-7

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Dial Books

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1996

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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BEDTIME FOR BATMAN

From the DC Super Heroes series , Vol. 1

by Michael Dahl ; illustrated by Ethen Beavers ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2016

This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom.

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Holy bedtime, Batman!

In a sleepy-looking neighborhood under a dusky cerulean sky, a young, brown-haired, white boy goes through the motions of getting ready for bed: he brushes his teeth, takes a bath, picks up his toys, and feeds his fish. In a parallel visual narrative, beckoned by the cat's-eye–yellow bat-signal, Batman keeps Gotham safe for another night by catching crooks, locking them away, and avenging those who have been wronged. Though the two characters are quite different, through a carefully flexible narrative, Dahl and Beavers weave a convincing tale of just how similar they might be. “It’s time to take care of business” describes the child’s trip to the potty and Batman’s dive down a manhole equally well, for instance. Beavers' art is visually striking and vibrantly hued, perfect for keeping young eyes glued to each page. Dahl's economical text is cadenced with a gentle lilt, just right for a bedtime read-aloud. Young fans of the caped crusader will delight in spying their favorite characters. In the already-overstuffed bedtime-book market, this is certainly a niche read, but it hits its mark well, delivering fun without darkness. A “bedtime checklist” at the end aptly includes “story time.”

This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom. (Picture book. 3-8)