Two picture-book newcomers present life at school from the custodian’s perspective, and he, by necessity, concentrates on footprints. Handy Bob is a conscientious worker, bustling about shining doorknobs, and buffing the water fountain to a gleam, but “by far, the hardest job I do/is wiping after every shoe.” There are hundreds of footprints, thousands of them, and Bob swabs away each and every one; the kindergartners go by, the Brownies leave a trail of Girl-Scout-cookie crumbs, the soccer team makes an appearance, etc., until Bob is overwhelmed. An art class slops paint, second graders spread the paint around, a marching band finishes what the second graders began, but they also march the mess away when a bit of the glop sticks to every shoe. Bob is so happy that he doesn’t even notice the prints he leaves exiting the gym. The rhythm of the verse will likely keep readers attention for one read through, while Foster’s illustrations are unfocused and static: the children tend to wear similar expressions. A nice idea, but it has nowhere to go. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: May 1, 1999
ISBN: 1-890817-12-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1999
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
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