In this cross between Jonathan London’s Froggy Gets Dressed (1997) and Stuart Murphy’s “MathStart” series, a little centipede buys a hundred shoes after stubbing a toe, and then spends most of the next few days learning the error of his ways. First, because he finds out too late that, like most centipedes, he actually has only 42 feet; second, because it takes most of a day to tie even that many, and then to take them off at bedtime; and third, because he then discovers that he needs socks, too. In his signature cartoon style, Ross creates a buggy setting for Little Centipede, and fills it up with piles of small brown shoes and multicolored socks for young viewers to count. Realizing at last that it’s just not worth the effort, Little Centipede gives his footwear away to (another counting opportunity) five spiders, four beetles, two woodlice, a grasshopper—and two delighted worms. As Little Centipede’s mom, who should know better, indulges his folly without comment, the tale’s internal logic isn’t sewn down very tightly; still, children who struggle with tying even two shoes will sympathize with Little Centipede’s situation. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: April 1, 2003
ISBN: 0-8050-7298-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2003
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An agreeable rhyming counting book with a baseball theme. The story opens on a little league field where the Blue Sox and the Stars face off: “Come play baseball/You could be a hero./The game’s starting score/is zero to zero.” The teams of boys and girls run up the numbers to 20, and baseball rules and lore are imparted painlessly: “When there’s a full count, we say, ‘Three and two.’/Five fingers up! His turn’s almost through.” A grand slam ends the game, with 19 ice cream cones and 20 baseball cards that give a clear and accurate summary of the main rules of the game. Shaw’s stocky acrylic-on-board figures have less zest than his beautifully rendered bats and balls, lush green field and blue sky, and a friendly, ice-cream-loving dog. Younger children whose radar may have picked up McGwire and Sosa, Piazza and Brosius will be ready for spring training after this one. (Picture book. 3-7)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-88106-332-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999
PLB 0-7358-1070-2 A very minimal imaginative effort starring Little Bunny, identified as an only child (although there are no parents commented upon or seen) who is feeling a bit lonely as he tries to go to sleep. He hops off to Squirrel’s house; Squirrel readily invites him in, but proves to be a midnight snacker who makes too much noise with his acorns. Little Bunny tries Skunk’s house, but there is a minor accident of the aromatic kind, so Little Bunny moves on. At Porcupine’s a few errant quills send him packing; at Bear’s, the snoring can be registered on the Richter scale; at Owl’s, lights burn into the night as Owl feeds his keen intelligence. Owl’s words of wisdom: “Just go back home where you belong.” Little Bunny does, and falls asleep. Readers probably already know that there is no place like home, but the other messages—that friends are a bother, that it’s better to be lonely, that individual quirks cannot be accommodated—will be new. Gorbachev’s illustrations are great, colorful scene-setting tableaux, owing more than a nod to Richard Scarry. (Picture book. 4-7)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7358-1069-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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