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ALL FOR ME AND NONE FOR ALL

Name: ALL FOR ME AND NONE FOR ALL
Author: Helen Lester
ISBN: 978-0-547-68834-3

by Helen Lester & illustrated by Lynn Munsinger ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 3, 2012

Given a name like Gruntly, there's little to expect but greed, but this pig flies to higher ground.

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Gruntly is a literal and metaphorical hog who serves as his own comeuppance in this gentle, if spirited, admonition.

"If there was a something, he wanted it all. All for himself." And not just all the toys and stuff; he wants the wool off Woolworth's back, the feathers out of Cluck's tail (" 'Cluck,' Cluck said...She was a chicken of few words"). Comes the day of the treasure hunt, and Gruntly has visions of gold and silver dancing in his big, selfish head. He also has too much greedy energy running through his system to pay attention to the clues and so is thwarted in his quest for world domination of treasure. Cluck of Few Words provides the necessary minimum for Gruntly to get his rightful share. Gruntly is stunned by "his companions' kindness and generosity," and becomes a changed pig, a better pig. Team Lester/Munsinger are a success because they are simple, direct and elementally charming. Lester is all for the droll use of language—"then Cluck got down on her knees (or whatever chickens get down on")—while Munsinger is majestic in the use of body language, and her piggy perp is always more a clown than a creep.

Given a name like Gruntly, there's little to expect but greed, but this pig flies to higher ground. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: April 3, 2012

ISBN: 978-0-547-68834-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Review Posted Online: Jan. 3, 2012

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2012

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
BRAVO, BUCKET HEAD!
by Helen Lester ; illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

- BOOK REVIEW
WE'RE GOING ON A PUMPKIN HUNT
by Mary Wilcox ; illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

- BOOK REVIEW
BORIS AND THE WORRISOME WAKIES
by Helen Lester ; illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

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WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

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All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.

Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)

Pub Date: May 1, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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THE COOL BEAN MAKES A SPLASH

From the I Can Read! series

by Jory John ; illustrated by Pete Oswald ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 26, 2024

Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.

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The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.

Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.

Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)