In the Growing Tree series, a story of sneezing: “Solomon Snorkel has such a big sneeze, he can blow all the leaves off the sycamore trees.” One sneeze from Solomon clears the house, the bees from the hives, and separates skiers from their skis. Solomon Snorkel’s nose just won’t stop tickling and everywhere he goes people tremble in fear of his “A-Choo!” He causes chaos on Mars, and the weather forecaster warns folks coast to coast when a sneeze breeze is about to come through. Although Singer’s verse will tickle readers, Floca’s silly illustrations really convey the magnitude of Solomon’s nose gales. Throughout the book, he cleverly shows only the sneezes’ aftermaths, saving a complete tableau of a sneeze in action for the very end. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Sept. 30, 1999
ISBN: 0-694-01748-5
Page Count: 24
Publisher: HarperFestival
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999
In a book that shows one kind of conflict resolution, Hugo, a shy frog with a small croak, learns to be more assertive with the help of a duck. Hugo lives in terror of the big frogs, especially Pop Eyes, a bully who dumps Hugo into the pond upside down, snatches his stick, and splashes him. Duck teaches Hugo to quack loudly when threatened, and the next time the bully frogs come around, Hugo opens his mouth and bellows “QUACK!” The result of this surprising emission is that birds scatter, butterflies flutter, fish flap, and the bully frogs fall into the pond. Church’s art gives the frogs, fish, snails, and worms of this story bright colors and ping-pong-ball eyes, plus the requisite goofy expressions. A funny story, with surprises that will have toddlers giggling. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: Dec. 1, 1999
ISBN: 1-86233-093-X
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sterling
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
Hopping is not hard, for a frog, but when he asks other animals to join him, he finds that bats flap, lobsters snap, and dust flies when an especially large rhinoceros stomps. None of the creatures can do what the frog does so well, until he meets a rabbit, and it becomes a friendship bound by bounding. Vere’s creatures are reminiscent of Sandra Boynton’s: smiling, bright, and lively, unrestrained by this board book’s small dimensions. A hopping good time. (Board book. 1-4)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-531-30131-1
Page Count: 22
Publisher: Orchard
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1999
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