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WHAT A SCARE, JESSE BEAR

Name: WHAT A SCARE, JESSE BEAR
Author: Nancy White Carlstrom
ISBN: 0-689-81961-7

by Nancy White Carlstrom ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1999

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In a bouncing rhyme, Jesse Bear (Let’s Count It Out, Jesse Bear, 1996, etc.) celebrates Halloween. As usual, Jesse has the niftiest of festivities while solving a very typical child difficulty. He goes with his parents and grandmother to pick their own pumpkin, comes home to carve it, and then goes up to the attic. It’s a veritable treasure trove of stuff, and Papa and Mama dress up in vampire fangs and tutu. Jesse is overcome by his own scary mask, but is soon reassured by the familiarity of neighbors, parents, and friends in costume. Pumpkin lights festoon a trellis, neighbors sing a “wobbly goblin song,” and Jesse and his parents go home to a feast made by his grandparents. It’s a dream Halloween, indeed. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-689-81961-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
COUNTING WINTER
by Nancy White Carlstrom ; illustrated by Claudia McGehee

- BOOK REVIEW
MAMA, WILL IT SNOW TONIGHT?
by Nancy White Carlstrom and illustrated by Paul Tong

- BOOK REVIEW
IT’S YOUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, ANNIE CLAIRE
by Nancy White Carlstrom and illustrated by Margie Moore

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QUACK AND COUNT

by Keith Baker & illustrated by Keith Baker ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1999

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Baker (Big Fat Hen, 1994, etc.) engages in more number play, posing ducklings in every combination of groups, e.g., “Splashing as they leap and dive/7 ducklings, 2 plus 5.” Using a great array of streaked and dappled papers, Baker creates a series of leafy collage scenes for the noisy, exuberant ducklings to fill, tucking in an occasional ladybug or other small creature for sharp-eyed pre-readers to spot. Children will regretfully wave goodbye as the ducks fly off in neat formation at the end of this brief, painless introduction to several basic math concepts. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-15-292858-8

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Harcourt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

- BOOK REVIEW
HAP-PEA VALENTINE'S DAY
by Keith Baker ; illustrated by Keith Baker

- BOOK REVIEW
LMNO PEA-QUEL
by Keith Baker ; illustrated by Keith Baker

- BOOK REVIEW
HAP-PEA ALL YEAR
by Keith Baker ; illustrated by Keith Baker

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FROGGY PLAYS SOCCER

by Jonathan London ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1999

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This latest Froggy title (Froggy Goes to School, 1996, etc.) is utterly unfocused, with the star careening from soccer dolt to Mr. Superkick. Froggy’s team has a big game coming up with the Wild Things, and he is trying to remember the mantra his father, and assistant coach, taught him: “Head it! Boot it! Knee it! Shoot it! But don’t use your hands!” But illegally touching the ball seems to be the least of Froggy’s worries; distraction is his problem. He is so busy turning cartwheels, tying his shoes, and more, that the only time he makes contact with the ball is when it bounces off his head by mistake. Then, when the Wild Things make a breakaway, Froggy has some dazzling moves to avert a score, but forgetfully grabs the ball at the last second. The other team gets a penalty kick, converts it, but then Froggy makes a field-long kick for a game-winning score. London forces Froggy into too many guises—the fool, the hero, the klutz, the fancy dancer—but none of them stick. Remkiewicz’s illustrations have charm; it is in their appeal that this book will find its audience. (Picture book. 2-6)