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MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMP

Name: MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMP
Author: Jack Lechner
ISBN: 978-1-59990-169-5

by Jack Lechner & illustrated by Bob Staake ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2008

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Lechner’s debut sets out to prove that cuddliness is not the only criterion children use in choosing a lovey. “Mary had a little lamp— / The bendy, gooseneck kind. / And everywhere that Mary went / She dragged the lamp behind.” Mary takes it to school to learn spelling, sends it down the slide at the playground and even tucks it into its own miniature bed each night. Her friends, teachers and parents are all flabbergasted. In the end, though, Mary goes off to summer camp and, to the surprise of everyone, leaves the lamp behind. At Camp Wottalottaphun Mary learns “That she could have a lot of fun / Without the lamp around.” Lechner’s rhythm and rhyme are spot-on in adapting the beloved nursery favorite. Staake’s computer artwork has kid-appeal, featuring stock characters, bold colors that extend even to skin and building facades and facial expressions that speak louder than words. Enjoyable fluff . . . but just to head off any copycats, parents may want to nail down the appliances. (Picture book. 3-8)

Pub Date: April 1, 2008

ISBN: 978-1-59990-169-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2008

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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A DOG NAMED SAM

by Janice Boland & illustrated by G. Brian Karas ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1996

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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CINDERELLA

From the Once Upon a World series

by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Sandra Equihua ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 2016

A nice but not requisite purchase.

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A retelling of the classic fairy tale in board-book format and with a Mexican setting.

Though simplified for a younger audience, the text still relates the well-known tale: mean-spirited stepmother, spoiled stepsisters, overworked Cinderella, fairy godmother, glass slipper, charming prince, and, of course, happily-ever-after. What gives this book its flavor is the artwork. Within its Mexican setting, the characters are olive-skinned and dark-haired. Cultural references abound, as when a messenger comes carrying a banner announcing a “FIESTA” in beautiful papel picado. Cinderella is the picture of beauty, with her hair up in ribbons and flowers and her typically Mexican many-layered white dress. The companion volume, Snow White, set in Japan and illustrated by Misa Saburi, follows the same format. The simplified text tells the story of the beautiful princess sent to the forest by her wicked stepmother to be “done away with,” the dwarves that take her in, and, eventually, the happily-ever-after ending. Here too, what gives the book its flavor is the artwork. The characters wear traditional clothing, and the dwarves’ house has the requisite shoji screens, tatami mats and cherry blossoms in the garden. The puzzling question is, why the board-book presentation? Though the text is simplified, it’s still beyond the board-book audience, and the illustrations deserve full-size books.

A nice but not requisite purchase. (Board book/fairy tale. 3-5)