Endlessly wacky; fast-moving antics and incessant fretting that would make Chicken Little look mellow give this familiar...
Anthropomorphic noodles worry and fret over a series of bedtimes and bad dreams.
Mac and Mac are two noodleheads, literally: they are noodle-shaped boys with nothing inside their heads. As might be expected, the two Macs are not particularly bright, and consequently they get into all types of goofy gaffes. The tubular tots initially decide to sleep outside because they hate making their beds, despite their mother’s bribe of a pie. Nighttime sounds scare them so much their legs tangle comically, and ultimately they go back inside. At least now they get pie. However, mischievous Meatball is also out for their confection—and gets it. Finally, one of the Macs loses his pillow and tries to compensate for its loss by bringing all sorts of odd objects—like a wooden chest and some food—into bed with him, with disastrous results. Funny nightmares punctuate each episode. Short chapters with large, brightly hued panels and spacious speech bubbles make this an easy choice for emerging readers. Fans of Arnold's previous work, particularly his Fly Guy series, will recognize his trademark artistic style and gravitate toward this. Opening notes in microscopic print explain the folk origins of each short chapter.
Endlessly wacky; fast-moving antics and incessant fretting that would make Chicken Little look mellow give this familiar topic a fresh feel. (Graphic early reader. 5-9)Pub Date: March 15, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3566-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 21, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
From the creator of the Benjamin Bear books, absurdist humor carries across species.
Silly untruths about penguins unfold in comic-book style.
The premise is to ask wacky questions about penguins and then supply even wackier answers. Short, two-paneled comic strips explain all kinds of penguin antics. How do penguins know they’ve reached the South Pole? When they see the road sign that indicates every direction is north, of course. Why do penguins like to stand? Because only a small amount of snow will pile on their heads. But if they lie down, a mountain will pile on their backs. Endless gags rely on snow/ice humor and also the assertion that all penguins look alike (which makes hide-and-seek difficult). The Coudray author-illustrator duo are twins—they identify with penguins when folks can’t tell them apart. The foundation of silliness is set up in the title and continues with cues in the art. Penguins wear mittens, use electric space heaters, and hold umbrellas. Hopefully, readers will get the joke from the start and not take any of these to be facts. If any confusion does ensue, some “Amazing But True: 100% Genuine, Real Facts About Penguins” appear in the backmatter.
From the creator of the Benjamin Bear books, absurdist humor carries across species. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: May 10, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-935179-96-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: TOON Books & Graphics
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2016
A charming book with a solid message about changing one’s life through hard work, imagination, and openness to new...
A hippo discovers that the possibilities are limitless.
Hippopotamus’ zoo home is in complete disrepair. Since no kids come to visit, the grounds are overgrown, and the animals look unkempt, neglected, and lonely. Bored and frustrated with his life, Hippo leaves the zoo in order to find a job among humans, refashioning himself as a Hippopotamister. But for what profession is a hippo suited? Green’s warm illustrations and graphic-novel presentation create an appealing protagonist for his debut children’s book as both author and illustrator (with finishing touches by colorist Caro). While the story's tone is more lighthearted than the early Babar books, Hippo’s struggle to find his place in the world is reminiscent of that famous elephant’s, and it is one with which readers will undoubtedly identify. Red Panda, Hippo’s madcap sidekick, is his guide to the human world, and with each occupation they attempt, from hairstylists and construction workers to sous-chefs, Hippo learns more about himself and his hitherto-undiscovered talents. This story contains all of the elements that make the quintessential self-discovery tale so rewarding, as Hippo learns that birthplace need not dictate one’s future and that identity and true happiness might lie in merging the new world he discovers with the home he initially leaves.
A charming book with a solid message about changing one’s life through hard work, imagination, and openness to new experiences. (Graphic fantasy. 5-8)Pub Date: May 10, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-62672-200-2
Page Count: 96
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2016
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