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
A deliberate sense of the absurd infuses Kirk’s story of a boy and his dog with great humor and appeal. Young Willy Joe Jehosephat loves gazing at the moon through his telescope, but his parents want him to have a real playmate, a dog. Willy readily agrees—to a moondog, “the perfect pet for me./I watch them through my telescope./They’re real, I guarantee!” After Willy builds a spaceship and is on his way to the Moon, he discovers a stowaway on board, a scrappy Earth mutt that Willy intends to leave in the care of the moondogs after he has made his selection. Once on the moon, Willy establishes contact with an enormous pack of moondogs, but also with a hideous moon man, who threatens to eat Willy. While the moondogs quake and quiver, the Earth mutt gives the moon man a good nip and sends him running. That’s the dog for Willy. Questions of loyalty are obviously raised here, but Kirk’s story allows for the pleasures of the here-and-now as well as acknowledging the dreams attached to distant stars. As always, the palette is robust and retro, with images that are invitingly participatory. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-399-23128-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999
An alphabetic chronicle of all the necessities for a sleepover is the foundation for this energetic tale about a young girl’s visit with her grandfather. In sprightly rhyming verse, the child proudly displays her indispensable treasures, excavated from an overnight bag that is larger than she is. Items such as Apples, stuffed sleeping pals Bunny and Bear, and Chalk to decorate the sidewalk share space with more mundane articles: Slippers, Toothbrush, and Underwear. Paul incorporates the alphabet into the text, with the featured letters highlighted in bold colors, while Smith’s cheerful watercolors capture the child’s boundless enthusiasm; they also adroitly convey the affectionate bond between grandfather and girl. Demonstrating keen understanding of a child’s universe, this rollicking recitation is a delight. (Picture book. 3-7)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7894-2511-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: DK Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
