by Rudyard Kipling ; illustrated by Jonas Lauströer ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 2018
The story is rather violent by current standards, but the accomplished visuals in this edition serve its rich, resonant...
Painterly portraits of African wildlife add naturalistic notes to this ever popular Just So story.
“In the High and Far-off Times the Elephant, O Best Beloved, had no trunk.” Except that the much-spanked pachyderm’s “ ’satiable curtiosity” has inexplicably been changed throughout to “ ’satiable curiosity,” the text with its glorious wordplay is, like the storyline, intact. Lauströer leaves backgrounds sketchy but lavishes attention on his animals—all of which are dark, solid, massive figures, depicted realistically enough to be practically smellable. Sometimes he follows the storyline literally, even putting into the scene accompanying the short-nosed young enquirer’s first impression of the crocodile a rather predatory-looking tree trunk. Elsewhere he lets fancy fly, festooning the tail of an ostrich with daisies, for instance, and transforming the white pattern on a giraffe into a loose net in which the lively Elephant’s Child is tangled. In the wake of the return of Elephant’s Child with a long trunk just right for meting out corporal punishment of his own, all of his relatives rush off to “borrow” new noses from Crocodile, and their return parade sporting stretched-out schnozzes (even the zebra and wildebeest) caps the pictures in droll style.
The story is rather violent by current standards, but the accomplished visuals in this edition serve its rich, resonant language nicely. (Picture book. 6-9)Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-988-8341-67-2
Page Count: 64
Publisher: minedition
Review Posted Online: Oct. 14, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2018
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by Susan Rose & Silvia López ; illustrated by Gloria Félix ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 25, 2023
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further.
A young Latine boy finally gets to rescue the dog of his dreams, but training can be a challenge in two languages.
Like many children, José has been dreaming of having a pet of his own, specifically un perro, a dog. Like any good owner, José promptly begins training his new canine companion but soon realizes his rescue mutt, Feliz, knows only words in English. This is a problem because in José’s home everyone speaks both Spanish and English. José and Feliz must rise to the challenge; fortunately, treats and snuggles are great motivators. The narrative uses Spanish words and phrases throughout (“perros blancos,” “¡Yo quiero este!” “¡Sientate!”), usually with English context clues for understanding. This is complex vocabulary for an early reader, and the shifting in phonics from English to Spanish will be challenging for true beginners; the book is best suited for intermediate to advanced readers in dual-language classrooms or homes. Much like Feliz, however, it is sure to find a loving (and bilingual) home. Cheerful illustrations complement the text, helping readers make sense of the narrative. While José and his mother are darker-skinned, his father and sister are lighter-skinned. (This review has been updated for accuracy.)
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further. (glossary of Spanish-English words) (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: April 25, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-52116-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
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by Susan Rose & Silvia López ; illustrated by Gloria Félix
by Karen English ; illustrated by Laura Freeman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 17, 2013
This outing lacks the sophistication of such category standards as Clementine; here’s hoping English amps things up for...
A gentle voice and familiar pitfalls characterize this tale of a boy navigating the risky road to responsibility.
Gavin is new to his neighborhood and Carver Elementary. He likes his new friend, Richard, and has a typically contentious relationship with his older sister, Danielle. When Gavin’s desire to impress Richard sets off a disastrous chain of events, the boy struggles to evade responsibility for his actions. “After all, it isn’t his fault that Danielle’s snow globe got broken. Sure, he shouldn’t have been in her room—but then, she shouldn’t be keeping candy in her room to tempt him. Anybody would be tempted. Anybody!” opines Gavin once he learns the punishment for his crime. While Gavin has a charming Everyboy quality, and his aversion to Aunt Myrtle’s yapping little dog rings true, little about Gavin distinguishes him from other trouble-prone protagonists. He is, regrettably, forgettable. Coretta Scott King Honor winner English (Francie, 1999) is a teacher whose storytelling usually benefits from her day job. Unfortunately, the pizzazz of classroom chaos is largely absent from this series opener.
This outing lacks the sophistication of such category standards as Clementine; here’s hoping English amps things up for subsequent volumes. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: Dec. 17, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-547-97044-8
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: Oct. 1, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2013
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by Karen English ; illustrated by Laura Freeman
by Karen English ; illustrated by Lauren Freeman
by Karen English ; illustrated by Laura Freeman
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