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RUNNY BABBIT RETURNS

Name: RUNNY BABBIT RETURNS
Author: Shel Silverstein
ISBN: 978-0-06-247939-6

ANOTHER BILLY SOOK

by Shel Silverstein ; illustrated by Shel Silverstein ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 19, 2017

Cead with rare and lave a good haugh; there can’t be too many more like these.

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Twelve years later, a return to the ween groods for more vunny ferses.

Runny Babbit and his spooneristic woodland friends are back in 41 new silly, short poems full of nonsense and linguistic play. This volume starts off with the same explanatory poem as Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook (2005): “Way down in the green woods / Where the animals all play, / They do things and say things / In a different sort of way— / Instead of sayin’ ‘purple hat,’ / They all say ‘hurple pat.’ ” Runny “Snoes Gorkeling” and loses his “trimming swunks.” He rides a “coller roaster” at the “founty cair” and loses his lunch. He meets Santa Claus and an evil witch —er, “wevil itch.” He eats soup, celebrates his birthday, and finds a dinosaur egg. Each poem is accompanied by one of Silverstein’s scratchy line drawings, each matching perfectly. In many of the drawings, the denizens of the green woods speak in their own spoonerisms. Though these poems did not make the first collection, which Silverstein had been working on for years before his death, they do not feel second-rate. They echo all that readers loved and all that made them laugh in Uncle Shelby’s work.

Cead with rare and lave a good haugh; there can’t be too many more like these. (Poetry. 6-12)

Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2017

ISBN: 978-0-06-247939-6

Page Count: 96

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: July 16, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S POETRY

- BOOK REVIEW
EVERY THING ON IT
by Shel Silverstein & illustrated by Shel Silverstein

- BOOK REVIEW
RUNNY BABBIT
by Shel Silverstein & illustrated by Shel Silverstein

- BOOK REVIEW
FALLING UP
by Shel Silverstein & illustrated by Shel Silverstein

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THE SECRET WORLD OF WHALES

by Charles Siebert & illustrated by Molly Baker ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2011

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Straightforward text explores many facets of whale knowledge, from myths and legends to modern efforts of preservation and protection. The history of whale hunting describes the astonishing array of products made from whales. Ironically, for years much of what was known about these massive mammals was learned from their hunters. In more recent times, scientific research continues to fascinate, as new discoveries are made by people interested in protecting whales. The whale’s brain is remarkably similar to that of a human, for instance, and scientists now know that whales communicate, use tools and have self-awareness—all factors that help in their conservation. While hunting is banned in most regions nowadays, whales face a new threat: sonar, air guns and other disruptive man-made noises in the oceans. Siebert makes very clear why whales are valuable and are in need of safekeeping. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the Natural Resources Defense Council. Baker’s simple line drawings show texture and detail, while the palette accurately reflects the animals in nature. Photos and archival illustrations with captions supplement the artwork. The design is whimsical without overwhelming, giving it a breezy quality. Its use as an academic resource is limited by an absence of backmatter, but it is still an engaging and worthy read and may well spur further exploration. (Nonfiction. 7-12)

Pub Date: May 1, 2011

ISBN: 978-0-8118-7641-4

Page Count: 112

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Review Posted Online: April 3, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2011

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

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EXPLORERS: REPTILES

From the Explorers series

by Claire Llewellyn & illustrated by Peter Bull ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2011

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Two new entries expand the subject diversity of the Explorers series, marked by their short paragraphs of information, extensive index, labeled pictures and panoramic scenes. Carole Stott’s concurrently published Stars and Planets is a very generalized introduction to space, focusing on the stars, moon, planets, space travel, astronauts and robotic space technologies. This title, the stronger and more in-depth of the two, focuses on four groups of reptiles: snakes, crocodilians, lizards and turtles and tortoises. Using a wide variety of examples across the four groups, Lewellyn teaches children about reptiles’ diets, habitats, predators, defenses, adaptations, births and interactions with humans. Unfortunately, the flaws of previous titles continue in these, to varying degrees. “What is it?” thumbnails still ask readers to identify objects from their close-up views; in most cases these objects can be found in the larger artwork, although they are not named. Color-coded icons are meant to link similar topics within each book, but the connections between pages may not be immediately obvious to readers. These connections are only spelled out in detail in a section of backmatter entitled “More to explore,” where children can also learn a few more facts about each topic. Illustrations vary between stunning photographs and rather stilted-looking digital images. An OK beginning for children just discovering their individual interests. (Nonfiction. 7-10)