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SPRING FEVER

Spring is finally here and Freddy the Cat is at last outside and on the prowl. He notices another cat on a windowsill enjoying the sunshine, too, but his mind is on hunting. As he scoops up a mole that he hadn’t caught last year and catches a sparrow who was having a tug-of-war with a hedgehog over a worm, neither the mole nor the sparrow seem to care—because, as the hedgehog explains, they’re in love—not worrying about danger or thinking straight. Freddy thinks if love is so wonderful, maybe he should try it, and of course, falls for Mew, the cat on the windowsill. A simple story with an adult concept made appealing by the sketchy, expressive pastel drawings. While it presents a different slant on spring for preschoolers, the story may raise more questions than it provides answers about the meaning or interpretation of “spring fever.” (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2006

ISBN: 0-7358-2033-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: NorthSouth

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2005

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FLY GUY AND THE FRANKENFLY

From the Fly Guy series , Vol. 13

The theme of friendship and loyalty endures in this enjoyable mock-horror tale for new readers.

“It was a dark and stormy night” as series fans find Fly Guy and Buzz hard at work in their 13th adventure.

Buzz and his insect buddy are playing. After an evening of making puzzles, trying on creepy costumes and admiring a drawing Buzz created featuring them both in their frighteningly fun garb, Buzz’s eyes get heavy and he climbs into bed. But Fly Guy is up to something—he is “BIZZY!” Buzz drops off into dreamland…or does he? A couple of page turns reveal Fly Guy on the verge of bringing a gigantic monster to life. A flip of an electrical switch sets the nightmare in motion. “Buzz cried, ‘It’s Frankenfly!’ ” The enormous, green creature responds to Buzz’s shout and shambles over to him. No surprise that Fly Guy comes to Buzz’s rescue just as the monster, more silly than menacing, picks him up. Morning comes with a fall out of bed to reveal the result of the project Fly Guy was determined to finish the previous night. Giggles and grape juice bring this latest installment to a satisfying close. All the while, Arnold’s deftly drawn cartoon expressions comically show the range of emotions as Buzz and Fly Guy experience fear, shock, bewilderment, determination and pride.

The theme of friendship and loyalty endures in this enjoyable mock-horror tale for new readers. (Easy reader. 5-7)

Pub Date: July 1, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-545-49328-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic

Review Posted Online: July 16, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2013

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SKIPPYJON JONES IN THE DOGHOUSE

From the Skippyjon Jones series

Holy Jalapeño! That devilish, disarming, dog-eared Siamese kitten who thinks he’s a Chihuahua is back and in trouble—again. His crayon artwork on the walls rubs Mama Junebug’s fur the wrong way and she gives him a timeout with the threat NOT to go in his closet or he’ll be in the doghouse. But quicker than you can say Skippyjon Jones, the naughty cat dons his mask and cape and superhero Skippito is off on another Mexican adventure with his old amigos, Los Chimichangos, banishing the menacing, nodding Bobble-ito monster (an itty-bitty kitten bobblehead) from their doghouse. Playful type embellishes exaggerated “Splanish” words and the watercolor-pen-ink caricatures are as perky and outsized as Skippyjon’s ears. Olé to the greatest poco perrito; he’s as full of beans as in the first escapade. Más, por favor. (CD read by the author) (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: April 1, 2005

ISBN: 0-525-47297-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2005

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