to togetherness. Friendly. (Easy reader. 6-8)
Diversion centering around a tree marks three seasons of a friendship in this book of short chapters and simple vocabulary
intended for beginning readers. In "Leaves," sheep comrades Blanche and Otis rake falling leaves and are about to dump them when Blanche bemoans the lack of leaves in her own yard, which has only a pine tree. Otis rigs the bags of leaves with string in Blanche’s tree and surprises her with falling leaves. In "The Storm," sadly, Otis’s tree falls over, but in "Christmas," Blanche builds chairs out of logs from the tree as a gift. "Spring" arrives and the two sheep plant and tend a new pine tree, which quickly provides a home to baby birds. Quiet action, soft colors, and understated expressions characterize this unassuming collection of humble happenings. The characters are not defined as distinct individuals, rather it is their esprit de corps that effects the warmth of these tales dedicated
to togetherness. Friendly. (Easy reader. 6-8)Pub Date: March 15, 2000
ISBN: 0-8234-1376-4
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2000
A skirmish over a favorite stuffed rabbit nearly destroys a friendship and the toy itself, but well-timed physical and emotional bandaging saves the day. When a little boy moves in next door to a little girl they quickly becomes friends and start sharing toys. This works well for cars, trucks, bears, and balls, but when the boy shows up with a new stuffed rabbit, cooperation goes out the window. In the ensuing tug-of-rabbit, each child yanks on the poor bunny’s ears until the stitching gives way. Figuring out a way to repair the rabbit also eventually patches up the friendship. Minor battles rage in homes and preschools everywhere, so children and adults alike will appreciate this subtle example of a peaceful resolution to toy disputes. Jahn-Clough’s pleasantly stubby children convey both healthy loud-mouthed anger and substantial charm. (Picture book. 3-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-395-93545-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The poster boy for relentless mischief-makers everywhere, first encountered in No, David! (1998), gives his weary mother a rest by going to school. Naturally, he’s tardy, and that’s but the first in a long string of offenses—“Sit down, David! Keep your hands to yourself! PAY ATTENTION!”—that culminates in an afterschool stint. Children will, of course, recognize every line of the text and every one of David’s moves, and although he doesn’t exhibit the larger- than-life quality that made him a tall-tale anti-hero in his first appearance, his round-headed, gap-toothed enthusiasm is still endearing. For all his disruptive behavior, he shows not a trace of malice, and it’ll be easy for readers to want to encourage his further exploits. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-590-48087-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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