Reviews
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 »
Kirkus Review - With Love, Grandma
A hedgehog grandmother takes a monthlong vacation with friends while continually staying in touch with her beloved grandchild through a volume of correspondence. Taking a break from the usual routine of “Camp Grandma,” this active grandparent embarks on an adventurous excursion enjoying the… View »
Booklist - Nature's Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story
Although Gwen Frostic (1906–2001) grew up with physical disabilities, her mother encouraged the girl to become active, strong, and independent. Her artistic talent and her love of nature led her to a career creating decorative brass and copperware until her materials were needed for the war… View »
Booklist - Junk: A Spectacular Tale of Trash
Each day, Sylvia Samantha White heads out with her wagon to find discarded stuff. Whether tires, old wood, a partial pack of gum, or empty paint cans, she lugs everything home. And when anyone asks why, from her father to the grumpy mayor, she replies, “I’m working on something.” But… View »