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WHOSE SHOES?

Name: WHOSE SHOES?
Author: Stephen R. Swinburne
ISBN: 978-1-59078-569-0

A SHOE FOR EVERY JOB

by Stephen R. Swinburne and illustrated by Stephen R. Swinburne ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2010

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Firefighter, chef, mail carrier, ballerina, clown, farmer, soccer player, National Guard soldier and construction worker are depicted through their footwear in this photo essay that asks the title question over and over. A predictable turn-the-page format leads to a full photo of the appropriate person to answer it. There is little diversity shown in the professions, although the postal worker is a woman and the soccer player is black. Prefacing this is a spread of children shod (all wearing Crocs, which will inevitably date this book) and unshod and a series of photos of children’s footwear. The last spread depicts the children in attire that predicts the jobs they may someday have with the question of which they would choose. A foreword by the author tells of the many jobs he had and the shoes he wore. The text is rhythmic and will read aloud well. This lighthearted look at occupations lacks the verve of Margaret Miller’s Whose Shoe? (1991), but as that work is out of print, this will substitute nicely. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2010

ISBN: 978-1-59078-569-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Boyds Mills

Review Posted Online: Jan. 14, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2010

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
BIG TRUCK SUPER WASH
by Stephen R. Swinburne ; illustrated by James Rey Sanchez

- BOOK REVIEW
GIRAFFE MATH
by Stephen R. Swinburne ; illustrated by Geraldo Valério

- BOOK REVIEW
SAFE IN A STORM
by Stephen R. Swinburne ; illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell

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TSUNAMI!

by Kimiko Kajikawa & illustrated by Ed Young ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 2009

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Through quick thinking and personal sacrifice, a wise old Japanese farmer saves the people of his village from a devastating tsunami in this simple yet striking story based on Lafcadio Hearn’s “A Living God.” Ojiisan lives in a cottage on a mountain overlooking the village and sea. One day, villagers gather to celebrate the rice harvest, but Ojiisan stays home thinking “something does not feel right.” When the earth quakes and the sea darkens and runs away from the land, Ojiisan realizes a tsunami approaches. Fearing the oblivious villagers will be swept away, Ojiisan torches his rice fields to attract attention, and they respond, barely escaping the monster wave. Rendered in gouache, pastel and collage, Young’s illustrations cleverly combine natural textures, bold colors and abstract shapes to convey compelling images of chaos and disaster as the rice fields burn and the wave rushes in. In one literally breathtaking double-page spread, an enormous wall of water engulfs the teeny seacoast village. A visually powerful and dramatic tribute to one man’s willingness to sacrifice everything for others. (Picture book. 3-5)

Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-399-25006-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Philomel

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2008

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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THE GRUFFALO

by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Axel Scheffler ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1999

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The action of this rhymed and humorous tale centers upon a mouse who "took a stroll/through the deep dark wood./A fox saw the mouse/and the mouse looked good." The mouse escapes being eaten by telling the fox that he is on his way to meet his friend the gruffalo (a monster of his imagination), whose favorite food is roasted fox. The fox beats a hasty retreat. Similar escapes are in store for an owl and a snake; both hightail it when they learn the particulars: tusks, claws, terrible jaws, eyes orange, tongue black, purple prickles on its back. When the gruffalo suddenly materializes out of the mouse's head and into the forest, the mouse has to think quick, declaring himself inedible as the "scariest creature in the deep dark wood," and inviting the gruffalo to follow him to witness the effect he has on the other creatures. When the gruffalo hears that the mouse's favorite food is gruffalo crumble, he runs away. It's a fairly innocuous tale, with twists that aren't sharp enough and treachery that has no punch. Scheffler's funny scenes prevent the suspense from culminating; all his creatures, predator and prey, are downright lovable. (Picture book. 3-6)