bookshelf

HARLEY

Name: HARLEY
Author: Star Livingstone
ISBN: 1-58717-048-5

by Star Livingstone & illustrated by Molly Bang ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2001

bookshelf

An unusually long easy-reader format—but then llamas are unusual animals, and a guard llama that watches over a flock of sheep is even more extraordinary. First-timer Livingstone does an excellent job of creating distinct personalities for Harley and for the ram of the flock and the shy sheepdog named Jet. The shepherd in the story happens to be a woman who happens to have an Asian daughter, with all the characters in the book based on real people and animals who are former neighbors of the author. The reader learns how a llama can keep a flock of sheep safe from both coyotes and a rambunctious ram, and about quite a few other aspects of both llama- and sheep-keeping, all told in a simple, anecdotal style with a good bit of dry humor. With short sentences, controlled vocabulary, and no contractions, this would serve well as a long easy reader, as transitional fiction between easy readers and chapter books, or as reading material for new teen or adult readers. Charming illustrations by Caldecott Honor winner Bang (When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry . . . , 1999) capture Harley’s antics (llamas can spit and throw tantrums) and add personality to the other animals and human characters. An interesting story that will appeal to kids who like uncommon animals and to any family who owns llamas. (Fiction. 6-9)

Pub Date: April 1, 2001

ISBN: 1-58717-048-5

Page Count: 64

Publisher: SeaStar/North-South

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2001

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

bookshelf

LITTLE DAYMOND LEARNS TO EARN

by Daymond John ; illustrated by Nicole Miles ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 21, 2023

It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists.

bookshelf

How to raise money for a coveted poster: put your friends to work!

John, founder of the FUBU fashion line and a Shark Tank venture capitalist, offers a self-referential blueprint for financial success. Having only half of the $10 he needs for a Minka J poster, Daymond forks over $1 to buy a plain T-shirt, paints a picture of the pop star on it, sells it for $5, and uses all of his cash to buy nine more shirts. Then he recruits three friends to decorate them with his design and help sell them for an unspecified amount (from a conveniently free and empty street-fair booth) until they’re gone. The enterprising entrepreneur reimburses himself for the shirts and splits the remaining proceeds, which leaves him with enough for that poster as well as a “brand-new business book,” while his friends express other fiscal strategies: saving their share, spending it all on new art supplies, or donating part and buying a (math) book with the rest. (In a closing summation, the author also suggests investing in stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrency.) Though Miles cranks up the visual energy in her sparsely detailed illustrations by incorporating bright colors and lots of greenbacks, the actual advice feels a bit vague. Daymond is Black; most of the cast are people of color. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists. (Picture book. 7-9)

Pub Date: March 21, 2023

ISBN: 978-0-593-56727-2

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

bookshelf

HENRY AND MUDGE AND THE STARRY NIGHT

From the Henry and Mudge series

by Cynthia Rylant & illustrated by Sucie Stevenson ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1998

bookshelf

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)