Transportation in its many varied forms is the theme of this song collection with an accompanying CD. The words to the 23 songs are set as illustrated poetry in an oversized format with huge illustrations of children who seem ready to fly, skate, or ride right off the pages. Kirk (Bus Stop, Bus Go, p. 742, etc.) sings most of the songs on the CD, and he wrote most of the words and music for the original songs as well. The collection also includes a few familiar songs set to fresh rhythms (“I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” in a blues arrangement and “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” with a calypso beat). Some of the songs are about traditional types of transportation (trains and taxicabs), others are about methods of personal locomotion (a motorized wheelchair, a pogo stick), and still more songs explore popular trends such as Rollerblades, skateboards, and minivans. Kirk’s vibrant, motion-filled illustrations are done in several styles, including clay sculpture and collage, with intriguing wheel-covered endpapers. Some of the lyrics don’t really stand up as poetry, and a title page and the musical scores for the songs would have been welcome additions, but the catchy songs override these minor objections. Preschool and primary grade teachers will still find this a useful set for the classroom, and the CD (ending with “Sleeping in the Back Seat”) is a natural for long car trips. (Picture book/poetry. 3-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-7868-0305-3
Page Count: 56
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2001
A book that will make young dog-owners smile in recognition and confirm dogless readers' worst suspicions about the mayhem caused by pets, even winsome ones. Sam, who bears passing resemblance to an affable golden retriever, is praised for fetching the family newspaper, and goes on to fetch every other newspaper on the block. In the next story, only the children love Sam's swimming; he is yelled at by lifeguards and fishermen alike when he splashes through every watering hole he can find. Finally, there is woe to the entire family when Sam is bored and lonely for one long night. Boland has an essential message, captured in both both story and illustrations of this Easy-to-Read: Kids and dogs belong together, especially when it's a fun-loving canine like Sam. An appealing tale. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: April 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-8037-1530-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1996
This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom.
Holy bedtime, Batman!
In a sleepy-looking neighborhood under a dusky cerulean sky, a young, brown-haired, white boy goes through the motions of getting ready for bed: he brushes his teeth, takes a bath, picks up his toys, and feeds his fish. In a parallel visual narrative, beckoned by the cat's-eye–yellow bat-signal, Batman keeps Gotham safe for another night by catching crooks, locking them away, and avenging those who have been wronged. Though the two characters are quite different, through a carefully flexible narrative, Dahl and Beavers weave a convincing tale of just how similar they might be. “It’s time to take care of business” describes the child’s trip to the potty and Batman’s dive down a manhole equally well, for instance. Beavers' art is visually striking and vibrantly hued, perfect for keeping young eyes glued to each page. Dahl's economical text is cadenced with a gentle lilt, just right for a bedtime read-aloud. Young fans of the caped crusader will delight in spying their favorite characters. In the already-overstuffed bedtime-book market, this is certainly a niche read, but it hits its mark well, delivering fun without darkness. A “bedtime checklist” at the end aptly includes “story time.”
This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom. (Picture book. 3-8)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-62370-732-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2016
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