Plenty of eye candy but low on nutritional facts.
High-quality photography compensates, at least in part, for inadequate commentary in this diverse gallery of exotic creatures and behaviors.
In the sharp, bright pictures, an alien-looking anglerfish dangles its glowing lure, a hagfish coils within its cloak of icky slime, and a mimic octopus miraculously morphs into an apparent flounder. These and 13 other land and sea animals pose in riveting close-ups. Alas, the text is not quite so clear. Along with leaving budding naturalists to sound out words like “anemone” and “arowana” on their own, Feldman adds rhetorical interjections (“What a strange way for a bird to get a meal!”) rather than systematic information about each animal’s range or physical characteristics. She also both fails to explain what an arowana actually is (the close-up in this case being a little too extreme) and, with the line “a lizard can break its tail off and run away,” misleadingly implies that any lizard can do this. Mary Kay Carson’s Deadly and Dangerous (978-1-4549-0629-2), publishing simultaneously in the same series, offers even more rousing visuals (notably, in this case, gruesome scenes of predators chowing down) and a somewhat more informative narrative text. Instead of much-needed leads to further information, both volumes close with an unrelated profile of a staff scientist at the American Museum of Natural History and feature a link to the publisher’s site.
Plenty of eye candy but low on nutritional facts. (Informational early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4549-0636-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sterling
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A lesson that never grows old, enacted with verve by two favorite friends
Gerald the elephant learns a truth familiar to every preschooler—heck, every human: “Waiting is not easy!”
When Piggie cartwheels up to Gerald announcing that she has a surprise for him, Gerald is less than pleased to learn that the “surprise is a surprise.” Gerald pumps Piggie for information (it’s big, it’s pretty, and they can share it), but Piggie holds fast on this basic principle: Gerald will have to wait. Gerald lets out an almighty “GROAN!” Variations on this basic exchange occur throughout the day; Gerald pleads, Piggie insists they must wait; Gerald groans. As the day turns to twilight (signaled by the backgrounds that darken from mauve to gray to charcoal), Gerald gets grumpy. “WE HAVE WASTED THE WHOLE DAY!…And for WHAT!?” Piggie then gestures up to the Milky Way, which an awed Gerald acknowledges “was worth the wait.” Willems relies even more than usual on the slightest of changes in posture, layout and typography, as two waiting figures can’t help but be pretty static. At one point, Piggie assumes the lotus position, infuriating Gerald. Most amusingly, Gerald’s elephantine groans assume weighty physicality in spread-filling speech bubbles that knock Piggie to the ground. And the spectacular, photo-collaged images of the Milky Way that dwarf the two friends makes it clear that it was indeed worth the wait.
A lesson that never grows old, enacted with verve by two favorite friends . (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4231-9957-1
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: Nov. 4, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2014
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further.
A young Latine boy finally gets to rescue the dog of his dreams, but training can be a challenge in two languages.
Like many children, José has been dreaming of having a pet of his own, specifically un perro, a dog. Like any good owner, José promptly begins training his new canine companion but soon realizes his rescue mutt, Feliz, knows only words in English. This is a problem because in José’s home everyone speaks both Spanish and English. José and Feliz must rise to the challenge; fortunately, treats and snuggles are great motivators. The narrative uses Spanish words and phrases throughout (“perros blancos,” “¡Yo quiero este!” “¡Sientate!”), usually with English context clues for understanding. This is complex vocabulary for an early reader, and the shifting in phonics from English to Spanish will be challenging for true beginners; the book is best suited for intermediate to advanced readers in dual-language classrooms or homes. Much like Feliz, however, it is sure to find a loving (and bilingual) home. Cheerful illustrations complement the text, helping readers make sense of the narrative. While José and his mother are darker-skinned, his father and sister are lighter-skinned. (This review has been updated for accuracy.)
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further. (glossary of Spanish-English words) (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: April 25, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-52116-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
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