Holly Clifton-Brown
Annie Hoot loved to knit, any time of day or night. She would knit anything as long as she had the yarn. Too bad her friends did not appreciate the things she knitted for them. She decided to leave her woods and finds friends who would appreciate her knitted gifts. To do that, she must knit one more time in her wooded home. To her friend’s surprise, Annie Hoot left in a knitted hot air balloon and off she went. She had many adventures as she knitted her away across the world. She started in the rain forest, and sailed across the sea. Still no one was happy with her knitting. The elephants, a giraffe, polar bears, walrus’, and penguins – so many she had shared her knitting with. Finally Annie Hoot had run out of yarn and she was feeling homesick. But without yarn how could she get home?
This is a sweet picture book about friendship and sharing. Annie Hoot had a gift of knitting and all she wanted to do was share, with everybody. The concept of sharing with their friends is something all children should understand. The author/illustrator combined a pleasing text with illustrations that are colorful and whimsical, sure to catch a young reader’s attention.
BIBLIO: 2010, Andersen Press USA. Ages 4 - 8, $16.95.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-7613-6444-3
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 7/8/10
Showing posts with label friendship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friendship. Show all posts
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Friday, December 11, 2009
Jamaica is Thankful
Juanita Havill
Illustrated by Anne Sibley O’Brien
Jamaica’s friend Kristin brings a big red shoebox over to Jamaica’s room and Kristin has a secret. Inside the box is a small kitten, Puffy, which Kristin cannot keep. Kristin already has an older cat who does not like Puffy, and she is hoping Jamaica will be able to keep the young kitten. That way, if Jamaica keeps the kitten, Kristin hopes she will still be able to come over and visit with Puffy. Kristin really wants Jamaica to keep Puffy, even though she sees it could be a problem for Jamaica. Even so, Jamaica agrees to hide the kitten in her closet. Therefore, a struggle begins for Jamaica … what she wants to do, and what she knows she should do. Her first problem began when her brother Ossie went into her bedroom and Jamaica had to hide Puffy in her closet. Ossie was very allergic to cat’s fur, and the kitten had been sleeping on his football jersey. From that point, Jamaica realized what she had to do. Kristin and Jamaica talked about the things they should be thankful for and Kristin found a home for Puffy.
The watercolor and pastel illustrations are engaging for the young readers. This book is part of a “Jamaica” series, and is excellent for young readers. The reinforced binding is helpful for public and school libraries.
BIBLIO: 2009, Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Ages 5-8, $16.00
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-618-98231-8
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 12/11/09
Illustrated by Anne Sibley O’Brien
Jamaica’s friend Kristin brings a big red shoebox over to Jamaica’s room and Kristin has a secret. Inside the box is a small kitten, Puffy, which Kristin cannot keep. Kristin already has an older cat who does not like Puffy, and she is hoping Jamaica will be able to keep the young kitten. That way, if Jamaica keeps the kitten, Kristin hopes she will still be able to come over and visit with Puffy. Kristin really wants Jamaica to keep Puffy, even though she sees it could be a problem for Jamaica. Even so, Jamaica agrees to hide the kitten in her closet. Therefore, a struggle begins for Jamaica … what she wants to do, and what she knows she should do. Her first problem began when her brother Ossie went into her bedroom and Jamaica had to hide Puffy in her closet. Ossie was very allergic to cat’s fur, and the kitten had been sleeping on his football jersey. From that point, Jamaica realized what she had to do. Kristin and Jamaica talked about the things they should be thankful for and Kristin found a home for Puffy.
The watercolor and pastel illustrations are engaging for the young readers. This book is part of a “Jamaica” series, and is excellent for young readers. The reinforced binding is helpful for public and school libraries.
BIBLIO: 2009, Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Ages 5-8, $16.00
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-618-98231-8
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 12/11/09
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Bee-Wigged
By Cece Bell
Jerry Bee was a bee, but not just any bee. He was the most enormous bee that anyone had seen and everyone was afraid of being stung. Jerry tried everything he could think of be friendly; when he said hello, people ran; when he answered the phone with his, “bzzzzzzzzzzzz”, people would know he was a bee; he even tried to give away free honey, and people were afraid of him.
Then one day, Jerry found a wig lying on a sidewalk. Just maybe that would be his answer. He put it on his head, and the first person to see the “new Jerry”, was a school bus driver. She wanted him to get to school immediately because he was late!
So far, Jerry’s new identity was working. At the school, Jerry was hoping to make new friends, and the first classroom he entered he met Miss Swann, the teacher. She and all the students just thought Jerry was wonderful – helpful, funny, artistic, generous, and even a great speller. Jerry was so happy at school, he decided to go every day.
Eventually, he was nominated for a great honor that could very well have become his demise. What a surprise for Jerry and his wig! Did all the friends he had made run away, or did everyone learn a lesson of friendship?
The colorful illustrations make the story of Jerry Bee and his new friends. Ages for this book would be better for lower elementary, as they need to learn early the lesson of diversity in friendship and being themselves.
BIBLIO: 2008, Candlewick Press, Ages 5 to 9, $16.99
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3614-2
REVIEWED FOR: Children's Literature, Online Version, 5-6-09
Jerry Bee was a bee, but not just any bee. He was the most enormous bee that anyone had seen and everyone was afraid of being stung. Jerry tried everything he could think of be friendly; when he said hello, people ran; when he answered the phone with his, “bzzzzzzzzzzzz”, people would know he was a bee; he even tried to give away free honey, and people were afraid of him.
Then one day, Jerry found a wig lying on a sidewalk. Just maybe that would be his answer. He put it on his head, and the first person to see the “new Jerry”, was a school bus driver. She wanted him to get to school immediately because he was late!
So far, Jerry’s new identity was working. At the school, Jerry was hoping to make new friends, and the first classroom he entered he met Miss Swann, the teacher. She and all the students just thought Jerry was wonderful – helpful, funny, artistic, generous, and even a great speller. Jerry was so happy at school, he decided to go every day.
Eventually, he was nominated for a great honor that could very well have become his demise. What a surprise for Jerry and his wig! Did all the friends he had made run away, or did everyone learn a lesson of friendship?
The colorful illustrations make the story of Jerry Bee and his new friends. Ages for this book would be better for lower elementary, as they need to learn early the lesson of diversity in friendship and being themselves.
BIBLIO: 2008, Candlewick Press, Ages 5 to 9, $16.99
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3614-2
REVIEWED FOR: Children's Literature, Online Version, 5-6-09
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