Reviews
Kirkus Review - Mother Ghost
This collection of shivery Mother Goose rhymes is sure to put kids in the Halloween spirit. Opening with a spin on “Boys and Girls, Come out to Play,” Kolar sets kids up for the 12 to come: “Come with a whoop and come with a call; / Come with brave hearts or not at all.” All the favorites… View »
Booklist - Hot Dog! Eleanor Roosevelt throws a Picnic
Eleanor Roosevelt was known for lots of things, but her love of hot dogs probably isn’t one of them. This book remedies that by taking a little-known incident from history and turning it into a delightful picture book. When King George and Queen Elizabeth decided to visit the U.S.—the first… View »
Booklist - Mother Ghost: Nursery Rhymes for Little Monsters
“Mary had a little ghost, / his face was white as cloud; / And everywhere that Mary went / he followed in his shroud.” This is just one of the traditional Mother Goose nursery rhymes that Kolar wickedly twists. Children and parents will cackle at rhymes like “Zombie Miss Muffet,” “Twinkle… View »
Kirkus Review - Dirty Birdies
Five birds of different shapes and sizes count off and clean up. The first dirty birdie, with long, ostrichlike legs and yellow-spotted blue feathers, dirties itself in a mud puddle and then meets another birdie, a green, ducklike bird that’s splotched with paint. The number of “dirty… ”/reviews/354">View »
School Library Journal - Seed Man
Seed Man, a Santa–type character but without the portly build, plants toy-producing trees with the help of vibrant, cherubic fairies. These fairies deliver the gifts to sleeping recipients of all ages. Seed Man, however, fades into the background as the story turns to focus on an elderly… View »
Kirkus Review - Aim for the Skies
The straightforward narrative highlights the passion and determination of these two unknown women, who broke barriers and achieved their dreams. Tidbits, such as the fact that each had a good-luck charm, add human interest. View »
Kirkus Review - Jungle Gym
Jungle Gym, features a monkey, a rhinoceros, a zebra, and several other wild animals who demonstrate prepositions and their opposites in a child’s playground. For comic effect, the snake wraps itself around the tire swing, and the giraffe sticks its head through a tunnel. Count on this… View »
Publisher's Weekly - Mother Ghost
Kolar rewrites Mother Goose rhymes for zombie fans. From “Mary Had a Little Ghost” (“And everywhere that Mary went/ He followed in his shroud”) and “Little Boy Drac” (“Will you wake him? No, not I;/ My garlic breath will make him cry”) to “Wee Willie Werewolf,” she slips in all the… View »
Kirkus Review - Hannah's Tall Order
Just when you think there is no new way to present the alphabet, along comes Hannah and her order for a tall sandwich. In this tale told in rhyming couplets, Hannah asks McDougal at the deli for an “A to Z sandwich” on thick, whole wheat bread. “Avocados and bean sprouts—fresh carrots… ”/reviews/356">View »
School Library Journal - Mela and the Elephant
In this new Thai fable, Mela learns the virtue of kindness. After spurning her brother’s request to accompany her on a river adventure, Mela becomes lost in the jungle surrounding Thailand’s Ping River. One by one, she offers her belongings to the creatures of the jungle in exchange for… View »