In a clever approach to the new-baby and sibling rivalry theme, Otis, the endearing canine from Dog Eared (2002), finds himself neglected, ignored, and forgotten when a new kitten joins the family and Lucy, his beloved owner, is occupied helping her little sister learn to take care of her new pet. Feeling unloved, Otis leaves home determined to have fun and misbehave as he rifles through garbage cans and chases after cats while colliding with shoppers and bystanders. Disenchanted with that sort of play, the good-hearted and sincere Otis arrives at the park, observes the actions of people and their pets alike, and thinking he isn’t being missed at home, begins to search out a new family. At the end of the day, however, when he is a guest at his friend Max’s house, Otis decides that he isn’t happy after all and runs home to be welcomed with open arms by Lucy. All is well as he is given undivided attention and reassured that he is “the greatest dog of all,” because he is Lucy’s best friend. Harvey has written a text that reflects honest concerns and thoughts through the humorous and subtly sarcastic voice of her character. Her watercolors in pale, pastel shades outlined in pen and ink gently evoke both the human and canine expressive faces, matching the mood and emotions demonstrated in the text. Otis looks justifiably upset, forlorn, and lonely, as well as relieved, happy, and content in the end. She also captures the small details of the story that are not told in the text, whether it be learning to take care of the new kitten or Otis’s humorous observations as in the French poodle and his owner’s similar hairdos. Wonderfully sympathetic and amusing. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Jan. 14, 2003
ISBN: 0-385-74621-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2002
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
Sweet and silly—good enough for Halloween
The barnyard animals love Halloween. Farmer Brown does not. Sounds like the perfect time for tricks and treats!
Since Farmer Brown wants nothing to do with the scary holiday, “he leaves a bowl of candy on the porch….draws the shades and locks the door.” Out in the barn, though, the party is just getting started. Saturated watercolors show Cow dressed as a skeleton, the chickens looking quite ghostly and the sheep donning witch hats. As field mice and cats arrive, creepy sounds begin. The “crunch, crunch, crunching” and the “creak, creak, creaking” lead to a “tap, tap, tapping.” Hearing them, Farmer Brown peeks out his window to investigate. Readers will chuckle and easily recognize “the dark creature standing beneath the trees.” The farmer, however, runs to his bedroom to pull the covers up over his head. Now the sounds repeat, as the figure comes closer. This time, though, the tapping is followed by a “quack, quack, quackle.” Wait—“Quackle??” Farmer Brown goes out to the porch to find the candy bowl gone and a note on the door announcing, “Halloween Party at the barn!” The chorus of onomatopoeic phrases throughout the briskly paced text guarantees an interactive read-aloud, though fans of Duck’s earlier outings will miss their satiric bite.
Sweet and silly—good enough for Halloween . (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4424-6553-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: July 16, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2013
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