Read more—and more expansively.
He loves to eat books, but reading them…not so much.
Wolf loves the taste of paper and can’t resist chowing down on books, both big and small. His friends encourage him to read: “Books are full of adventure and excitement!” Wolfette points out. Despite this, Wolf falls asleep in his easy chair. He wakes up in a strange place, a lush green forest that is also a library. Tree trunks are hollowed out to make room for bookshelves, and more books hang from branches. The librarian is a squirrel, currently frantic because 10 books are missing. Wolf offers to help search. Wolf’s search involves a trip through several children’s classics, including The Jungle Books, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Peter Pan. (With the exception of selections from Aesop and The Arabian Nights, all are of the white male canon.) Once all the books have been retrieved, Wolf is magically transported back to the forest library. Wolf receives elaborate thanks from the squirrel and is suddenly back in his chair at home, still holding the book his friends had given him. Now, after his adventure, he’s anxious to discover what’s between the covers. Though Lallemand preaches to the converted and her material is old as dust, her message is evergreen; Thuillier’s bright illustrations give a friendly, cartoony cast to the classic works they pay homage to. A list of the books referenced is included.
Read more—and more expansively. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-2-7338-5619-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Auzou Publishing
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
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