Wildly terpsichorean collages, constructed from patterned cloth and paper cutouts decorated with bright paint and shoe-sole prints, illustrate this original tale of a clever itinerant cobbler and a nearsighted giant. Sporting long, serpentine limbs that flail across the pages, Hans Crispin waltzes into town offering shoes that reinvigorate the weary, give their wearers height and style, make work easier—and threaten to put the local cobbler out of business. So the cobbler challenges Hans to shoe Barefootus, an irascible giant more likely to eat visitors than welcome them. Correctly diagnosing the giant’s complaint that he can’t find his garden or livestock, Hans craftily whips up footwear with big magnifying glasses, and instantly makes a huge, new, purple friend. Light (Puss in Boots, 2002) writes in formal folklorish—“Once upon a time there was a man named Hans Crispin who traveled throughout the land,” etc.—that stands in sharp, but all in all pleasing, contrast to the art’s extravagant forms and colors. High marks for energy. (author’s note) (Picture book. 7-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 2003
ISBN: 0-8109-4236-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2003
Get ready for gales of giggles as young Pinky regales her little brother Tyler Doo with a truly daffy tale. Unable to find her shoes one morning, Pinky at last rushes off to school with slices of bologna on her feet—to discover the rest of her class beset with the same problem, and shod in a variety of foodstuffs, from a pasta wrap to roasted chickens. Jinkins and his collaborator illustrate this unusual, to say the least, predicament with flat cartoon characters superimposed on color photos of typical school and domestic scenes, with unusual deftness. The author also tucks in zany multiple choices, matching games, a maze, and other painless pedagogical devices. When school lunch turns out to include the likes of Barbecued Cowboy Boots and Frozen Flip-Flops, Pinky Dinky puts her brain to work and comes up with the neat, obvious, unappetizing solution—and, she reassures readers (along with her listener), “since this was a made-up story, you don’t have to worry about dirty food or germs or STINKY FEET!” Inspired silliness, with humor and interactive features perfectly pitched for its intended audience. (Easy reader. 7-8)
Pub Date: May 25, 2004
ISBN: 0-375-82914-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2004
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Yangsook believes that peach orchards in her part of Korea are the best part of Puchon, because a peach garden is a piece of heaven. But when a horrific hailstorm plucks the entire peach crop and miraculously rains them down into the neighborhood, just as it did in August 1976, how is it that these delicate, delicious morsels are unharmed, and what is to be done with them? A surprised town, knee-deep in flood waters, is relishing the mouth-watering peaches, but have not yet asked the next question, as they are busy rescuing the bobbing fruits. It is little Yangsook, empowered by her love of peaches and community who honors her beliefs by enlightening her neighbors as to what should be done. Yangsook’s vision of peace and harmony mirrors Choi’s personal experiences, and her thoughtful main character embodies the same pensive tone found in the soft brownish-greenish peachy palate, making the whole experience one tasty bite. (Picture book. 7-8)
Pub Date: May 6, 2005
ISBN: 0-374-35761-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Frances Foster/Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2005
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