Lucille Colandro
Illustrated by Jared Lee
The old lady is swallowing leaves! She has such a big mouth you have to wonder just how many leaves she is going to really swallow. Is she like a leaf vacuum? How do the leaves know to come to her mouth? Why is the dog near her not swallowed along with the leaves? What about the bird on the branch just above her head? Why just the leaves? Each time the old lady swallows a new item; her mouth seems to get bigger. Her feet are very tiny in respect to her body and mouth size, just saying. This old lady should have a very difficult time walking even if she does not swallow a pumpkin and a pole – and a pair of pants! The final item is a bunch of hay, which could easily start an allergy attack! Do you think that is the reason she begins to sneeze? She begins to sneeze until everything comes out. Do you think you know why she swallowed all this stuff?
This book is a remake of a previous picture / rhyming book that was very popular. The unfortunate thing at this time, it proves the point that not all remakes work. Perhaps if we are lucky, we will not see a slew of remakes of this type of picture book. Save your money, purchase the original; it is worth the money spent.
BIBLIO: 2010, Cartwheel Books, Ages 3+, $5.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book / Rhyming Text
ISBN: 978-0-545-24198-4
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 11-5-10
Sunday, December 19, 2010
The Thinga-ma-jigger Is Coming Today!
Whitney Sanderson
Illustrated by Ruth Sanderson
The Thinga-ma-jigger – you know it is coming, and it is coming today! The Cat in the Hat is back and he has brought Sally and Nick and Thing One and Thing Two and other characters too. Flick a switch and the jiggermawhizzer and you can zing around and bang with a ring-a-ding-dinging. However, do not stop there. There is a whole forest of jigamaroo and if you press the shrinkamadoodle – that is right, you will shrink! So much fun when you have shrunk you can actually dance with bees, and bounce on petals! There is a remedy for the shrinkamadoodle, let me see – oh yes, it is the bigamaboodle! Whodathunk! There may be a problem stopping, but surely, there is a toggle or boodle or whizzer of some kind that will fix that.
Dr. Seuss, welcome to TV. This Golden Book is based on part of, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! This story is typically a rolling bit of fun; make sure your tongue is fit and ready for the roller coaster of exercise typical to Dr. Seuss. Your youngsters will not let you put this one down. It is genuinely funny, whether you have access to the TV show or not. The illustrations are bright, fascinating, and even mercurial. You should buy this book even if you do not have small children; it is a treat to your inner child.
BIBLIO: 2010, Random House Books for Young Readers, Ages 2-5, $3.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Rhyming Words / Picture Books
ISBN: 978-0-375-85927-4
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 11-5-10
Illustrated by Ruth Sanderson
The Thinga-ma-jigger – you know it is coming, and it is coming today! The Cat in the Hat is back and he has brought Sally and Nick and Thing One and Thing Two and other characters too. Flick a switch and the jiggermawhizzer and you can zing around and bang with a ring-a-ding-dinging. However, do not stop there. There is a whole forest of jigamaroo and if you press the shrinkamadoodle – that is right, you will shrink! So much fun when you have shrunk you can actually dance with bees, and bounce on petals! There is a remedy for the shrinkamadoodle, let me see – oh yes, it is the bigamaboodle! Whodathunk! There may be a problem stopping, but surely, there is a toggle or boodle or whizzer of some kind that will fix that.
Dr. Seuss, welcome to TV. This Golden Book is based on part of, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! This story is typically a rolling bit of fun; make sure your tongue is fit and ready for the roller coaster of exercise typical to Dr. Seuss. Your youngsters will not let you put this one down. It is genuinely funny, whether you have access to the TV show or not. The illustrations are bright, fascinating, and even mercurial. You should buy this book even if you do not have small children; it is a treat to your inner child.
BIBLIO: 2010, Random House Books for Young Readers, Ages 2-5, $3.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Rhyming Words / Picture Books
ISBN: 978-0-375-85927-4
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 11-5-10
Ivy Loves to Give
Freya Blackwood
Ivy, as the book title says, really loves to give. The problem is her gifts are not the right size or the correct style for the recipient. For an example, the first gift she gives is a shoe to a snail. That will never do! Her dad comes looking for his other shoe, while the dog and Ivy are trying to make the glasses fit. Grandma cannot see well to find her extra set of eyes and the hen is not enjoying the cup of tea. Ivy keeps trying though. Miss Kitty does not like baby’s pacifier and baby is not happy about that. So many gifts Ivy has to give out, yet none of them are happy gifts. How can Ivy turn her gifts into happy ones?
Children love to give, and Ivy is certainly no different. Ivy learns an important lesson in this book, especially, not to give people’s things to the family pets. This book encourages children to give while helping them to think about who they are giving the gift to, which is important. The thought process involved is complicated for children that age (three and up), but using the family pets and family items young children can relate to appropriate gift giving. The illustrations are beautiful and if you pay attention, there are a couple of great surprises. If you have children or grandchildren this is a book for your home library.
BIBLIO: 2009, Arthur A Levine Books, Ages 3+, $15.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-545-23467-2
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 11-5-10
Ivy, as the book title says, really loves to give. The problem is her gifts are not the right size or the correct style for the recipient. For an example, the first gift she gives is a shoe to a snail. That will never do! Her dad comes looking for his other shoe, while the dog and Ivy are trying to make the glasses fit. Grandma cannot see well to find her extra set of eyes and the hen is not enjoying the cup of tea. Ivy keeps trying though. Miss Kitty does not like baby’s pacifier and baby is not happy about that. So many gifts Ivy has to give out, yet none of them are happy gifts. How can Ivy turn her gifts into happy ones?
Children love to give, and Ivy is certainly no different. Ivy learns an important lesson in this book, especially, not to give people’s things to the family pets. This book encourages children to give while helping them to think about who they are giving the gift to, which is important. The thought process involved is complicated for children that age (three and up), but using the family pets and family items young children can relate to appropriate gift giving. The illustrations are beautiful and if you pay attention, there are a couple of great surprises. If you have children or grandchildren this is a book for your home library.
BIBLIO: 2009, Arthur A Levine Books, Ages 3+, $15.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-545-23467-2
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 11-5-10
Hush, Hush!
Margaret Wild
Illustrations by Bridget Strevens-Marzo
Baby Hippo just cannot fall asleep. Like so many babies, he wiggles, and waggles his legs, and he makes so much noise. His mum wants him to quiet down and just go to sleep. However, Baby Hippo cannot hush. He decides to go for a walk. As he walks along he walks through the soggy, boggy mud and this is what he hears, “Hush, hush,” As the pelicans go to sleep. Baby Hippo trots over hard lumpy rocks where the alligators are and this is what he hears, “Hush, hush.” Continuing his journey, Baby Hippo listens to many of the jungle babies, and he hears “Hush, hush.” Finally, he yawns, he is getting tired, but he is not at home. Will he be able to stay awake until he gets home?
This is a sweet book for young readers; it would even be good for the nighttime ritual. The colorful illustrations are perfect for the text and bring the story to life. The other animals will pique your child’s curiosity. The colorful illustration of the animals will draw young children into the story. They will also remember the simple text and relate the pictures and text together. This is a great book for reading comprehension.
BIBLIO: 2010, Little Hare Books, Ages 3+, $14.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-1-921272-86-8
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 11-5-10
Illustrations by Bridget Strevens-Marzo
Baby Hippo just cannot fall asleep. Like so many babies, he wiggles, and waggles his legs, and he makes so much noise. His mum wants him to quiet down and just go to sleep. However, Baby Hippo cannot hush. He decides to go for a walk. As he walks along he walks through the soggy, boggy mud and this is what he hears, “Hush, hush,” As the pelicans go to sleep. Baby Hippo trots over hard lumpy rocks where the alligators are and this is what he hears, “Hush, hush.” Continuing his journey, Baby Hippo listens to many of the jungle babies, and he hears “Hush, hush.” Finally, he yawns, he is getting tired, but he is not at home. Will he be able to stay awake until he gets home?
This is a sweet book for young readers; it would even be good for the nighttime ritual. The colorful illustrations are perfect for the text and bring the story to life. The other animals will pique your child’s curiosity. The colorful illustration of the animals will draw young children into the story. They will also remember the simple text and relate the pictures and text together. This is a great book for reading comprehension.
BIBLIO: 2010, Little Hare Books, Ages 3+, $14.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-1-921272-86-8
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 11-5-10
Horse Diaries – Golden Sun
Whitney Sanderson
Illustrated by Ruth Sanderson
Little Turtle, is only nine winter’s old, when he chooses Golden Sun, an Appaloosa pony, for himself. Golden Sun, a quick learner, wants Little Turtle to be proud of him. Golden Sun listens closely when Little Turtle trains him so he will be proud of his pony. The spotted horses of Little Turtle’s tribe, the Nimi’ipuu, call the horses, such as Golden Sun, Maamin. Little Turtle is waiting patiently until Golden Sun is old enough, and big enough for him to ride. In the meantime, there is much for both of them to learn.
One day a young filly swims across the river that separates two tribes. The filly is stomping her back feet and snorting her nose, making a lot of noise. Golden Sun speaks to her, trying to calm her. A friend of Little Turtle, Pale Moon decides she likes the new filly and wants to keep her. Golden Sun speaks to the new filly about the tribe’s ways, but the filly is afraid, she has not been treated well. Pale Moon is kind to the filly, calls her Dancing Feather and gives her good food.
The two colts learn together and grow as their tribal counterparts. It is not long before they are bigger and racing side by side. Soon, Golden Sun accompanies Little Turtle to a very special time in his life; most horses are not allowed to go.
This is a very enjoyable read for young readers, especially those who like horses. The point of view is strictly from Golden Sun, and he manages to educate the reader while engaging them. The black and white illustrations are finely detailed allowing for an open window into the tribe’s life. At the end of the book, Sanderson included an appendix giving more information about the Appaloosa horses, which is very helpful and informational to the story. A great book to add to any library.
BIBLIO: 2010, Random House Books for Young Readers, Ages 8-12, $6.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Chapter Book / Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-375-86194-9
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 11-5-10
Illustrated by Ruth Sanderson
Little Turtle, is only nine winter’s old, when he chooses Golden Sun, an Appaloosa pony, for himself. Golden Sun, a quick learner, wants Little Turtle to be proud of him. Golden Sun listens closely when Little Turtle trains him so he will be proud of his pony. The spotted horses of Little Turtle’s tribe, the Nimi’ipuu, call the horses, such as Golden Sun, Maamin. Little Turtle is waiting patiently until Golden Sun is old enough, and big enough for him to ride. In the meantime, there is much for both of them to learn.
One day a young filly swims across the river that separates two tribes. The filly is stomping her back feet and snorting her nose, making a lot of noise. Golden Sun speaks to her, trying to calm her. A friend of Little Turtle, Pale Moon decides she likes the new filly and wants to keep her. Golden Sun speaks to the new filly about the tribe’s ways, but the filly is afraid, she has not been treated well. Pale Moon is kind to the filly, calls her Dancing Feather and gives her good food.
The two colts learn together and grow as their tribal counterparts. It is not long before they are bigger and racing side by side. Soon, Golden Sun accompanies Little Turtle to a very special time in his life; most horses are not allowed to go.
This is a very enjoyable read for young readers, especially those who like horses. The point of view is strictly from Golden Sun, and he manages to educate the reader while engaging them. The black and white illustrations are finely detailed allowing for an open window into the tribe’s life. At the end of the book, Sanderson included an appendix giving more information about the Appaloosa horses, which is very helpful and informational to the story. A great book to add to any library.
BIBLIO: 2010, Random House Books for Young Readers, Ages 8-12, $6.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Chapter Book / Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-375-86194-9
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 11-5-10
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