Fans of the TV special will be drawn to this edition of the beloved story; others may want to check out the new...
The version of the holiday story that has been shown on television for the past 50 years is the basis for this interpretation of Rudolph’s tale.
Most of the elements of the story everybody knows already are here. As a young reindeer, Rudolph doesn’t fit in due to his glowing nose, and he befriends Hermey, an elf who doesn’t fit in because he wants to be a dentist rather than an assistant to Santa. They set off together and avoid capture by the Abominable Snow Monster with the help of a woodsman named Yukon and his sled-dog team. The rather lengthy text rushes through the plot of the TV special, and there are a few plot developments that are solved without motivation, such as the Abominable Snow Monster’s sudden transformation from enemy to friend. Bright, hard-edged illustrations reflect the animated origins of this version, bearing a flattened appearance, as though a TV image had been captured for reference. Rudolph, Hermey and Santa are attractive characters, and the Abominable Snow Monster offers just a touch of scary menace to be overcome. There’s a none-too-subtle message about accepting those who are different, whether a reindeer with a red nose, a dentally minded elf or residents of the Island of Misfit Toys. Rudolph uses his special red nose to guide the sleigh team, but that accomplishment is curiously downplayed at the conclusion.
Fans of the TV special will be drawn to this edition of the beloved story; others may want to check out the new interpretation of the original story by Robert L. May, publishing on Sept. 30, 2014. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-250-04760-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Square Fish
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Hee haw.
The print version of a knee-slapping cumulative ditty.
In the song, Smith meets a donkey on the road. It is three-legged, and so a “wonky donkey” that, on further examination, has but one eye and so is a “winky wonky donkey” with a taste for country music and therefore a “honky-tonky winky wonky donkey,” and so on to a final characterization as a “spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey.” A free musical recording (of this version, anyway—the author’s website hints at an adults-only version of the song) is available from the publisher and elsewhere online. Even though the book has no included soundtrack, the sly, high-spirited, eye patch–sporting donkey that grins, winks, farts, and clumps its way through the song on a prosthetic metal hoof in Cowley’s informal watercolors supplies comical visual flourishes for the silly wordplay. Look for ready guffaws from young audiences, whether read or sung, though those attuned to disability stereotypes may find themselves wincing instead or as well.
Hee haw. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: May 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-545-26124-1
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 28, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn.
A young owl achieves his grand ambition.
Owl, an adorably earnest and gallant little owlet, dreams of being a knight. He imagines himself defeating dragons and winning favor far and wide through his brave exploits. When a record number of knights go missing, Owl applies to Knight School and is surprisingly accepted. He is much smaller than the other knights-in-training, struggles to wield weapons, and has “a habit of nodding off during the day.” Nevertheless, he graduates and is assigned to the Knight Night Watch. While patrolling the castle walls one night, a hungry dragon shows up and Owl must use his wits to avoid meeting a terrible end. The result is both humorous and heartwarming, offering an affirmation of courage and clear thinking no matter one’s size…and demonstrating the power of a midnight snack. The story never directly addresses the question of the missing knights, but it is hinted that they became the dragon’s fodder, leaving readers to question Owl’s decision to befriend the beast. Humor is supplied by the characters’ facial expressions and accented by the fact that Owl is the only animal in his order of big, burly human knights. Denise’s accomplished digital illustrations—many of which are full bleeds—often use a warm sepia palette that evokes a feeling of antiquity, and some spreads feature a pleasing play of chiaroscuro that creates suspense and drama.
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-316-31062-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 15, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2022
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