Hannert's picture-book debut is an odd, though ultimately successful, combination of story and idiosyncratic artwork. The story revolves around a semi-sweet little prose poem concerning a young boy, Sherman, and his efforts to jump-start the day: "Every day is the same. The same old thing in the same old way. But I kind of made up a dance this morning while I was brushing my teeth." That dance finds him bumping down the stairs, flying out a window, tumbling through the air to land on his dog. The two engage in a brief polka, then it's airborne again through the window for Sherman and into his seat at the breakfast table. Simple enough. The artwork, on the other hand, is quirky yet beguiling. For instance, it is not clear if Sherman is a boy or a dog or something else—it's the nose. And it is none too clear if he is having a good time, for Sherman's face is a cipher. (Hannert is a puppet-maker, so maybe that explains it.) On the other hand, he says, "I'm probably not remembering it all / or exactly the way it was done." The illustrations, colored pencils on sandpaper are set on bright, white background and the text looks hand-lettered and is scattered over the page much as Sherman is. He is utterly engaging even if, and perhaps because, he is a bit of a mystery. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: March 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-8118-2812-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2001
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)
Pub Date: June 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-8037-2386-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1999
SEEN & HEARD
Perhaps youngsters who think they are more interested in football than reading will take the message to heart.
New England Patriot and literacy advocate Mitchell proves to have a touch of magic as an author as well as on the field.
It’s Family Fun Day at the library, and families of many sizes, constellations, and skin tones are participating. Amid book scavenger hunts and storytelling, a magician arrives. He is white and lanky, sporting a purple polka-dot vest and a bright yellow ascot. But most importantly, he has a very large, mysterious hat. He tells the children how he came to Family Fun Day when he was younger and read his very first book about magic in the library. Turning the pages and getting lost in the words inspired him to become a magician. He realized that it wasn’t just about spells and potions, but that books themselves are magical. Three children reach into the hat and find books about their future professions—Amy, a white girl, is a dentist; Matt, a bespectacled black boy, is a football player; and Ryan, a white boy, is an astronaut. The magician then turns the hat to readers, asking, “What are your dreams?” Previously self-published, the work gets a new look from Lew-Vriethoff’s bustling library and bright swirls of magic and bookish motivation. As an entry in the books-are-awesome genre, it’s mostly distinguished by the author’s clear belief in his message.
Perhaps youngsters who think they are more interested in football than reading will take the message to heart. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Feb. 27, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-338-11454-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Nov. 12, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2017
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