Childhood logic and a preference for the impossible explodes in this enjoyable tale of crazy conclusions. Mrs. Muffly’s recent behavior has been most peculiar. The explanation? “We think that’s because she is keeping a HUGE monster in her house!” The evidence is overwhelming. After all, why else would she need to purchase 27 dozen eggs (to style the monster’s hair) or 58 packs of butter (to smooth his rough feet)? After buying a different ingredient in massive quantities each day of the week, all comes clear on Sunday when Mrs. Muffly wins the Giant Cake Competition with the largest masterpiece on display. Unwilling to give up the theory, however, the ever-optimistic narrator concludes, “BUT we think she must have had some help,” as jammy monster-shaped footprints track across the page. Dyer’s seemingly simple mixed-media pictures complement this tale of juvenile justifications quite well. This isn’t a tale of kids just leaping to conclusions; it’s a full-throttle lunge. (recipe in metric and English measurements) (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-84507-761-7
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2008
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
Sloat collaborates with Huffman, a Yu’pik storyteller, to infuse a traditional “origins” tale with the joy of creating. Hearing the old women of her village grumble that they have only tasteless crowberries for the fall feast’s akutaq—described as “Eskimo ice cream,” though the recipe at the end includes mixing in shredded fish and lard—young Anana carefully fashions three dolls, then sings and dances them to life. Away they bound, to cover the hills with cranberries, blueberries, and salmonberries. Sloat dresses her smiling figures in mixes of furs and brightly patterned garb, and sends them tumbling exuberantly through grassy tundra scenes as wildlife large and small gathers to look on. Despite obtrusively inserted pronunciations for Yu’pik words in the text, young readers will be captivated by the action, and by Anana’s infectious delight. (Picture book/folktale. 6-8)
Pub Date: June 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-88240-575-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2004
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