Only hints of the deadpan humor that made Egan’s Serious Farm (2003) and other tales so droll come through here. The pie on Mrs. Brown’s windowsill vanishes after witnesses see Cardigan the moose stop for a sniff. The matter comes to trial and Cardigan is declared guilty by everyone except the judge, who not only points out the lack of direct evidence, but, after Cardigan moves about the courtroom knocking over a statue, getting tangled up in a flag, and even upending the judge with his antlers, moves the court over to Mrs. Brown’s, where pieces of the pie are still visible in the bushes. It now being obvious what happened, Cardigan is fêted by his contrite former accusers. But as Cardigan’s antlers in the sedate, James Marshall–esque pictures are rather dainty, and sometimes not even placed near whatever they’ve just supposedly knocked into, the joke doesn’t carry over into the art. Not Egan at his best, though this may have some potential as a discussion starter on the idea of “innocent until proven guilty.” (Picture book. 6-8)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-618-40237-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2004
A breezy blast of dino facts.
Intrepid children share meals with a gallery of dinosaurs, from towering T. Rex to a chicken-sized Shuvuuia.
Blithely blowing past the fact that all the dinosaurs here are carnivores who would probably have regarded their human guests as menu items (except perhaps the small and insectivorous Ambopteryx), Morales incorporates stock images of toothy prehistoric predators into cartoon scenes featuring a diverse cast of young people, including one who uses a wheelchair, ready to chow down on steak, seafood, and more. Markle dishes up platefuls of basic facts about each dinosaur, including sizes and hunting styles, which she spices up with colorful commentary: “Utahraptor was a Super Stabber Raptor!” “Imagine what a BIG mouth full of sharp teeth [Spinosaurus] had!” In keeping with the general predator vs. prey vibe, she also urges readers to enjoy the “beast feast” in active ways…“on the go” with Microraptor, for example, or snatching “fast food” with agile Velociraptor. This prehistoric plat-du-jour is capped with further “Fun Facts!” (scientists think that Carnotaurus waved its tiny arms to attract a mate, for instance) plus a timeline and an explanation of how dinosaur hips differ from reptilian ones; readers will also learn what made carnivorous dinosaurs such successful hunters.
A breezy blast of dino facts. (Informational picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: April 2, 2024
ISBN: 9781338858730
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Jeram brings back characters from Bunny, My Honey (1999) for this poignant tale about families. Although they are different species, the three friends—Bunny, Little Duckling, and Miss Mouse—form a unique family along with Mommy Rabbit. Instead of trying to make her “little Honeys” conform to some one ideal, the wise mother rabbit embraces their differences, incorporating their individuality into a special song created for the trio. Soft pastel illustrations capture both the playfulness of the threesome, and the loving bonds of the family. Through the song and the games the Honeys play, Jeram encourages readers to rejoice in diversity—a warm and timely message in a world full of complex and extended families. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-7636-0846-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1999
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