Lin, G. (2011). Ling & Ting: not exactly the same! LB Kids.
Overview
Ling and Ting are two adorable identical twins, and they stick together, whether they are making dumplings, getting their hair cut, or practicing magic tricks. But looks are deceiving--people can be very different, even if they look exactly the same.Evaluation
Sweet story for beginning readers that highlight the differences between both girls. Cute illustrations and chapters that can be enjoyed by children. Great book to practice comparing and contrasting.
Booklist starred (May 1, 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 17))
Grades 1-2. Sisters Ling and Ting may be twins, but that doesn’t mean they’re “exactly the same,” no matter what everyone says upon first meeting them. Children will come to their own conclusions after reading the six short, interconnected stories that make up this pleasing book for beginning readers. In the first chapter, “The Haircuts,” Ling sneezes while her bangs are being cut, and for a while at least, it’s easy to tell the twins apart. The chapters that follow reveal distinct differences in the sisters’ personalities, inclinations, and abilities. Despite those differences, in the end each girl subtly affirms her affection for the other. Framed with narrow borders, the paintings illustrate the stories with restrained lines, vivid colors, and clarity. The chapters often end with mildly humorous turns, from a neat play on words to a smack-your-heard obvious solution to an apparently impossible dilemma. These endings, as well as bits of comic byplay that occur in the brief framework vignettes, will suit the target audience beautifully. Lin, whose previous books include Dim Sum for Everyone (2001) and the 2010 Newbery Honor Book Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (2009), shows her versatility once again in an original book that tells its story clearly while leaving room for thought and discussion.
Horn Book Magazine (July/August, 2010)
People are always telling twin sisters Ling and Ting that they are exactly the same. "'We are not exactly the same,' Ling says. Ting laughs because she is thinking exactly the same thing!" In her first early reader, author-illustrator Lin (Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, rev. 9/09) presents six chapters, each a brief, humorous story about the sisters. In "The Haircuts," the girls have the same black hair, which needs cutting at the same time, but they don't behave the same-Ling sits quietly while Ting fidgets (and sneezes at a crucial moment)-and two different haircuts are the result. Ting's uneven bangs make it easy for young readers to tell who's who, though by the end they will know the identically dressed girls by their unique personalities, with Ting's goofiness a perfect match for her goofy bangs. Performing magic tricks, making and eating dumplings, visiting the library, and going on a picnic round out the rest of the book, warmly illustrated with Lin's color-saturated art inside boldly hued borders.
Grades 1-3. A young child’s cat, Flubby, isn’t like other pets. Kim’s bird sings, Sam’s dog catches, but, despite best efforts to teach Flubby tricks, he not only seems disinterested, but he also doesn’t comply or try. Sometimes he even does the opposite! For example, Jill’s frog can jump, but Flubby? Even after the kid, whose gender is unspecified, models jumping, Flubby, who’s been napping on his back, paws in the air, leisurely gets up, stretches, and yawns. But when a noisy thunderstorm comes (“KA-BOOM”), the pair get an opportunity to learn the mutual rewards of pet ownership, mostly in the form of sharing comfort and hugs. Short, simple text, accessibly written for new readers, is enlivened with interspersed speech-bubbles and humorous asides. Appealing, animated, colorful comics-style illustrations both depict and expand the story, such as in a montage in which Flubby's owner attempts to get the cute, stripy-tailed, bulky cat to catch, to no avail—Flubby merely watches the ball go by, then has a snooze. A droll and sweet read that cat fans especially will enjoy.
Horn Book Guide (Fall 2019)
Flubby the cat won't do any tricks, no matter how much his owner Kami tries. Increasingly frustrated, Kami declares: ‘Flubby is NOT a good pet!' But when a thunderstorm begins, Flubby and Kami realize they need each other. The short, repetitive sentences are clearly designed for new readers. Minimalist illustrations humorously feature other animals doing tricks for their humans, while Flubby only says meow and falls asleep.
Pizzoli, G. (2019). The book hog. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
The Book Hog loves books -- the way they look, the way they feel, the way they smell--and he'll grab whatever he can find. There's only one problem: he can't read! But when a kind librarian invites him to join for Storytime, this literature-loving pig discovers the treasure that books really are.
Booklist (January 1, 2019 (Vol. 115, No. 9))
Preschool-Grade 1. A beret-sporting pig adores books so much that he acquires them anywhere—at yard sales and indie bookstores—and savors them everywhere—in a tent and on the toilet. Yet as much as he’s drawn to their look, feel, and smell, he harbors a secret shame: he can’t decode the words inside them. Or he can’t, at least, until he catches a whiff of the public library and meets Miss Olive, a spectacle-sporting elephant-slash-librarian who offers him kindness and patience. With lots of practice, he becomes not just a book lover but also a book reader. The pro-library artwork is bold, with happily Pizzolian graphic lines and shapes; bright, with wonderfully audacious pinks and greens; and bookish, sneakily integrating a few familiar book covers (and even a maker space to boot). The characters’ expressions are amusing, the straightforward sentences are well structured, and it all works together to truly create a book that readers will be eager to hog.
Horn Book Guide (Fall 2019)
In this celebration of books and reading, the titular pig owns many books, which he loves for their smell, texture, and pictures. It's therefore surprising to learn that he's illiterate. His discovery of library Storytime's and eventual acquisition of literacy, with help from the elephant librarian, resolve his dilemma. Pezzoli's concise sentences and humorous, ingeniously detailed cartoon illustrations have great read-aloud appeal.
Sayre, A. P. (2007). Vulture view. Henry Hold and Co.
Smith, J. (2013). Little mouse gets ready. TOON Books.
Will Little Mouse master all the intricacies of getting dressed, from snaps and buttons to Velcro and tail holes? Eisner Award-winning cartoonist Jeff Smith and his determined Little Mouse reveal all the smallest pleasures of this daily task.
Booklist (August 2009 (Vol. 105, No. 22))
Preschool-Kindergarten. The TOON imprint, which already boasts an impressive lineup of respected comics artists, adds another heavy hitter with this offering by the much-beloved creator of the all-ages graphic adventure Bone. Although all TOON books feature simple story lines designed for beginning readers, this one may have the simplest yet: a wee mouse gets dressed. Each step—from checking to make sure the tag in the undies is in the back, to sitting down to put on pants, to the trickier maneuvers involved in buttoning a shirt—comes with built-in challenges that are given all due consideration and brightened by touches of gentle humor. Smith’s deceptively simple style is a terrific match for a young audience—one- or two-panel pages that are elegant, lighthearted, and touching all at once—and a knock-your-socks-off twist at the end will leave children giggling. As a dual treat, the subject matter encourages the empowering activity of dressing oneself at the same time that its medium helps build visual comprehension and reading confidence.
Kirkus Reviews (August 1, 2009)
Move over, Froggy; Little Mouse is here to show the picture-book set how to get dressed. It's time to go to the barn; Little Mouse is excited, but first he must get ready. "Underpants are EASY to put on... / Just be sure to get your tail in the tail hole!" Socks, pants, boots and shirt with difficult buttons follow. Through it all, Little Mouse talks about all the fun things to do in the barn, like eating seeds and oats from the ground and swimming in the cow's water. Little Mouse is so proud of having dressed himself...until Mama comes back to ask what he's doing. She looks him over and says, "Well...mice don't wear clothes!" That literally knocks Little Mouse's socks (and everything else) off. With his first book for the very young, Smith, creator of the beloved and award-winning BONE graphic novels, adds another strong entry into Toon Book's fledgling series of hybrid comics/early readers. The big friendly panels in autumn pastels and the silly twist ending will have emergent readers going straight back to the first page over and over. (Graphic early reader. 3-6)
Tabor, C. R. (2018). Fox the tiger. Balzer + Bray.
Fun-loving, mischievous Fox wishes he were a tiger. Tigers are big and fast and sneaky. So he decides to become one!
Horn Book Guide (Spring 2019)
Fox thinks tigers are very cool, so he paints stripes on himself and "goes for a prowl." Soon Tiger meets Turtle, who wants to be a race car, and Rabbit, who wants to be a robot. But after rain washes away their costumes, Squirrel's admiration ("Wow! A fox!") helps Fox realize that foxes are pretty cool, too. Expressive illustrations further a highly readable text, and the plot will capture brand-new readers' interest.
Kirkus Reviews (June 15, 2018)
Fox and friends play an imaginative game of pretend. While reading a book about tigers, Fox (Fox and the Bike Ride, 2017, etc.) wishes they were Tiger. “Tigers are big. / Tigers are fast. / Tigers are sneaky. // Tigers are the best,” Fox reads. Paintbrush in hand, they paint their fur with stripes to transform into Tiger. Then, on a prowl, Tiger comes upon Turtle. Turtle initially mistakes Tiger for Fox before they are corrected. The exchange sparks an idea in Turtle, who disappears and comes back as Race Car: “I zip and zoom.” Rabbit, a bystander, also gains inspiration. They disappear, return wearing a cardboard box, and reveal that they are now Robot: “I beep bop boop.” The trio plays until a sudden rain washes away their disguises. But all is not lost: A passer-by, Squirrel, exclaims that Fox (as Fox) is “the best,” no stripes needed. Using fewer than 60 words, Tabor creates a wonderful arc that includes an open ending (Squirrel paints themselves orange in the wordless final spread). The digitally rendered cartoon illustrations—originally created with pencil, watercolor, and crayon—are energetic and expressive. The overarching message of self-love is a good one, but the no-fuss acceptance of changing identities in text and dialogue (even if they are just pretend) is even better. Feel-good, make-believe fun. (Early reader. 3-6)
Tatsukawa, M. (2020). The bear in my family. Dial Books.
An overbearing older sibling can really be a bear, but the child in this understated, gently humorous story finds out that they can have their advantages, too. There is a surprising twist at the end of the book.
Horn Book Magazine (May/June, 2020)
A child asserts that there is a bear in his family, and indeed the illustrations show a little boy sharing space with a large gray creature. "Scary, right?" The bear is loud, bossy, and messy. Though the grownups don't see it, we do, as the bear roars the protagonist awake, hogs the chips, and effortlessly picks the boy up and dangles him upside down. Viewers may catch on early that the "bear" is in fact an older sibling. A clever family photo shows Mom holding a newborn (whose blanket matches the main character's sweater) and Dad with a cub on his shoulders; the text reads, "For some reason, my parents think the bear is family." One day, after being sent outside to play, the boy is sitting dejectedly on a swing. When some bullies arrive, he experiences the upside of having a bear (and big sister) in his corner. The digitally created art "with handmade textures" is spare, with rounded edges and subdued hues that defuse the anger and de-claw the danger. Younger sibs everywhere should relate to our protagonist's point of view-and to his eventual realization: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Elissa Gershowitz May/June 2020 p.111
Kirkus Reviews starred (January 15, 2020)
A young boy describes the bear that lives with him. The story opens on the face of an unhappy kid who lives with a bear. The protagonist goes on to show a diagram of the bear, who has “sharp teeth,” “mean eyes,” and “strong arms.” The bear is loud, roaring when the narrator is trying to sleep. The bear is “messy,” “bossy,” and “always hungry,” even stealing the narrator’s food. The bear is “strong” and plays a little rough. The kid tries to tell Mom, but she dismisses the protagonist, suggesting some outside play in the park. At the park, three bigger kids start bullying the narrator, who suddenly wishes there were a bear to help out—and there’s the bear! After this rescue, the kid realizes that sometimes having a bear can be pretty great. It seems having a bear in the family is a lot like having an older sibling. Tatsukawa writes and illustrates a metaphorical but completely accessible tale for any child who has an older sibling. Displayed in a combination of printed text and hand-lettered speech bubbles, the writing is simple and straightforward. The illustrations have a textured-paper look, with cute details, such as the protagonist’s bee sweater and the lion, snake, and shark sweaters the bullies wear. Narrator and family present Asian, and the other kids have a variety of skin tones and hair colors. A thoroughly charming take on sibling relationships. (Picture book. 3-7)
Wheeler, L. (2007). Jazz Baby. HMH Books for Young Readers.
With a simple clap of hands, an itty-bitty beboppin' baby gets his whole family singing and dancing. Sister's hands snap. Granny sings scat. Uncle soft-shoes--and Baby keeps the groove. Things start to wind down when Mama and Daddy sing blues so sweet. Now a perfectly drowsy baby sleeps deep, deep, deep.
Booklist (October 15, 2007 (Vol. 104, No. 4))
Preschool-Grade 1. This stylish, retro offering has rhythm and bounce from first line (Brother’s hands tap. / Sister’s hands snap. / Itty-bitty Baby’s hands / CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!) to last. Punctuated by Jazz Baby’s joyous enthusiasm, the percussive text scans like a musical dream, a nearly flawless scat on music, dance, and the contagious joy of jazz. Christie’s gouache illustrations—in a sixties palette of olive, gold, and brick—feature characters with fluid bodies and mobile faces that fill the images with movement and energy. The text itself is part of the composition, moving in and out of the action. Images break the borders of the pages, with half-on, half-off characters and partial views varying the perspectives and keeping the pages lively. Baby’s clap-clap-clap sets off a party that spreads from apartment to street, from Mom and Dad to cousins, neighbors, and friends. Although some children may need an explanation of the antique record player pictured, this is a dance party of a book, a jazzy treat to read and view.
When Daddy puts a record on the turntable, everyone gets into the sound, including the baby in his crib. The rhythmic text continues with everyone singing and dancing until finally "snoozy-woozy baby" drops off to sleep. The vitality comes through both in the lively text and the jazzy, brightly colored gouache paintings, their curves and angles highlighted in black ink.
Yee, W. H. (2011). Mouse and mole: fine feathered friends. Clarion Books.
It is a blustery spring day, and Mouse and Mole are very excited. They are going to go bird watching! They are planning to make bird books! Mouse and Mole pack paper and crayons and hurry outside. It turns out, birds are not so easy to watch. Together, they come up with a plan to get closer to the birds. A plan that includes glue and feathers.
Booklist (September 15, 2009 (Vol. 106, No. 2))
Grades K-3. In their latest round of endearing adventures, best pals Mouse and Mole suit up excitedly for a day of springtime bird-watching, but before they can focus their binoculars, each of their subjects flies away. Compromising and cooperating are the themes as the friends find elaborate, creative solutions to their problems and make a final project that celebrates their individual talents. Once again, transitional readers will enjoy the well-paced text’s wordplay (including lots of puns); the gentle, realistic friendship conflicts; and the ink-and-watercolor artwork that captures the story’s humor, action, and feeling.
Horn Book Guide (Spring 2010)
Mouse and Mole love bird watching, though they're not very successful at it. When they dress like birds and make their own nest, however, the birds come to them. Afterward, Mole's drawings and Mouse's poems combine to make the perfect birding book. The creatures' affable friendship and gentle adventures come to life through Yee's warm pencil and gouache illustrations.
People are always telling twin sisters Ling and Ting that they are exactly the same. "'We are not exactly the same,' Ling says. Ting laughs because she is thinking exactly the same thing!" In her first early reader, author-illustrator Lin (Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, rev. 9/09) presents six chapters, each a brief, humorous story about the sisters. In "The Haircuts," the girls have the same black hair, which needs cutting at the same time, but they don't behave the same-Ling sits quietly while Ting fidgets (and sneezes at a crucial moment)-and two different haircuts are the result. Ting's uneven bangs make it easy for young readers to tell who's who, though by the end they will know the identically dressed girls by their unique personalities, with Ting's goofiness a perfect match for her goofy bangs. Performing magic tricks, making and eating dumplings, visiting the library, and going on a picnic round out the rest of the book, warmly illustrated with Lin's color-saturated art inside boldly hued borders.
Other Books Written by Grace Lin
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
The Year of the Dog
A Big Mooncake for Little Star
Lunde, D. (2016). Hello, bumblebee bat. Charlesbridge.
Overview
A series of questions and answers introduce children to the life and habitat of the exotic and endangered Bumblebee Bat.Evaluation
Great illustrations and written for children to understand. The author uses a questions and answer format about the bumblebee bat's environment and habitat while using extra large font. Great non0fiction text to use for gathering information about bats.
Other Books Written by Darrin Lunde
Dirty Rats?
Hello, Mama Wallaroo
Monkey Colors
Morris, J. E. (2020). Flubby is not a good pet! Penguin Workshop.
Overview
Flubby is a big, sleepy cat who refuses to do the things that other pets do. He won't sing, catch, or even jump! But when a scary situation brings Flubby and his owner together, they realize they really do need each other--and that makes Flubby a good pet after all.Evaluation
Great series for children in first grade due to the repetitions. Flubby is based off of a real cat. A very sweet and short story explaining how cats and their owners both need each other. The message is about cats being affectionate and comforting to pet when you are feeling insecure.
Booklist (February 15, 2020 (Online))Grades 1-3. A young child’s cat, Flubby, isn’t like other pets. Kim’s bird sings, Sam’s dog catches, but, despite best efforts to teach Flubby tricks, he not only seems disinterested, but he also doesn’t comply or try. Sometimes he even does the opposite! For example, Jill’s frog can jump, but Flubby? Even after the kid, whose gender is unspecified, models jumping, Flubby, who’s been napping on his back, paws in the air, leisurely gets up, stretches, and yawns. But when a noisy thunderstorm comes (“KA-BOOM”), the pair get an opportunity to learn the mutual rewards of pet ownership, mostly in the form of sharing comfort and hugs. Short, simple text, accessibly written for new readers, is enlivened with interspersed speech-bubbles and humorous asides. Appealing, animated, colorful comics-style illustrations both depict and expand the story, such as in a montage in which Flubby's owner attempts to get the cute, stripy-tailed, bulky cat to catch, to no avail—Flubby merely watches the ball go by, then has a snooze. A droll and sweet read that cat fans especially will enjoy.
Horn Book Guide (Fall 2019)
Flubby the cat won't do any tricks, no matter how much his owner Kami tries. Increasingly frustrated, Kami declares: ‘Flubby is NOT a good pet!' But when a thunderstorm begins, Flubby and Kami realize they need each other. The short, repetitive sentences are clearly designed for new readers. Minimalist illustrations humorously feature other animals doing tricks for their humans, while Flubby only says meow and falls asleep.
Overview
Evaluation
Fun story with incredible illustrations, as well as a loving message about the need to encourage children who are struggling. Children will be able to relate to the character with his love for books, but having the same problems.
Preschool-Grade 1. A beret-sporting pig adores books so much that he acquires them anywhere—at yard sales and indie bookstores—and savors them everywhere—in a tent and on the toilet. Yet as much as he’s drawn to their look, feel, and smell, he harbors a secret shame: he can’t decode the words inside them. Or he can’t, at least, until he catches a whiff of the public library and meets Miss Olive, a spectacle-sporting elephant-slash-librarian who offers him kindness and patience. With lots of practice, he becomes not just a book lover but also a book reader. The pro-library artwork is bold, with happily Pizzolian graphic lines and shapes; bright, with wonderfully audacious pinks and greens; and bookish, sneakily integrating a few familiar book covers (and even a maker space to boot). The characters’ expressions are amusing, the straightforward sentences are well structured, and it all works together to truly create a book that readers will be eager to hog.
Horn Book Guide (Fall 2019)
In this celebration of books and reading, the titular pig owns many books, which he loves for their smell, texture, and pictures. It's therefore surprising to learn that he's illiterate. His discovery of library Storytime's and eventual acquisition of literacy, with help from the elephant librarian, resolve his dilemma. Pezzoli's concise sentences and humorous, ingeniously detailed cartoon illustrations have great read-aloud appeal.
Other Books Written by Grey Pizzoli
The Watermelon Seed
Good Night Owl
This Story Is For You
Overview
Ovve
Turkey vultures soar on the balmy air, looking for their next stinky feast. These birds don't hunt―they like their food to be already dead, and their eating habits serve a very important ecological role. Vultures are part of nature's clean-up crew.Evaluation
The text combines a simple story line with informational text woven into the story. The book looks at several animals and plants it might be attracted to until it finds what it would like to eat. The author uses simple text and illustrations to engage the reader. The back of the book contains informational pages about basics on vultures and a list of additional resources.
Other Books Written by April Pulley Sayre
Full of Fall
Eat Like a Bear
Raindrops Roll
Overview
Evaluation
Great story using comic format about a mouse learning how to tend to their basic needs. The message of the story is even though some tasks are hard, but the more practice you do, the easier it becomes. This is a great graphic novel that has text simple enough for first graders.
Booklist (August 2009 (Vol. 105, No. 22))
Preschool-Kindergarten. The TOON imprint, which already boasts an impressive lineup of respected comics artists, adds another heavy hitter with this offering by the much-beloved creator of the all-ages graphic adventure Bone. Although all TOON books feature simple story lines designed for beginning readers, this one may have the simplest yet: a wee mouse gets dressed. Each step—from checking to make sure the tag in the undies is in the back, to sitting down to put on pants, to the trickier maneuvers involved in buttoning a shirt—comes with built-in challenges that are given all due consideration and brightened by touches of gentle humor. Smith’s deceptively simple style is a terrific match for a young audience—one- or two-panel pages that are elegant, lighthearted, and touching all at once—and a knock-your-socks-off twist at the end will leave children giggling. As a dual treat, the subject matter encourages the empowering activity of dressing oneself at the same time that its medium helps build visual comprehension and reading confidence.
Kirkus Reviews (August 1, 2009)
Move over, Froggy; Little Mouse is here to show the picture-book set how to get dressed. It's time to go to the barn; Little Mouse is excited, but first he must get ready. "Underpants are EASY to put on... / Just be sure to get your tail in the tail hole!" Socks, pants, boots and shirt with difficult buttons follow. Through it all, Little Mouse talks about all the fun things to do in the barn, like eating seeds and oats from the ground and swimming in the cow's water. Little Mouse is so proud of having dressed himself...until Mama comes back to ask what he's doing. She looks him over and says, "Well...mice don't wear clothes!" That literally knocks Little Mouse's socks (and everything else) off. With his first book for the very young, Smith, creator of the beloved and award-winning BONE graphic novels, adds another strong entry into Toon Book's fledgling series of hybrid comics/early readers. The big friendly panels in autumn pastels and the silly twist ending will have emergent readers going straight back to the first page over and over. (Graphic early reader. 3-6)
Other Books Written by Jeff Smith
Bone
Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil
Overview
Fun-loving, mischievous Fox wishes he were a tiger. Tigers are big and fast and sneaky. So he decides to become one!
Evaluation
This series is great for beginner readers. The words are simple and easy to sound out. This is a cute story with the message of accepting others for who they are. The illustrations are fun with basic vocabulary for 4-5 year olds.
Horn Book Guide (Spring 2019)
Fox thinks tigers are very cool, so he paints stripes on himself and "goes for a prowl." Soon Tiger meets Turtle, who wants to be a race car, and Rabbit, who wants to be a robot. But after rain washes away their costumes, Squirrel's admiration ("Wow! A fox!") helps Fox realize that foxes are pretty cool, too. Expressive illustrations further a highly readable text, and the plot will capture brand-new readers' interest.
Kirkus Reviews (June 15, 2018)
Fox and friends play an imaginative game of pretend. While reading a book about tigers, Fox (Fox and the Bike Ride, 2017, etc.) wishes they were Tiger. “Tigers are big. / Tigers are fast. / Tigers are sneaky. // Tigers are the best,” Fox reads. Paintbrush in hand, they paint their fur with stripes to transform into Tiger. Then, on a prowl, Tiger comes upon Turtle. Turtle initially mistakes Tiger for Fox before they are corrected. The exchange sparks an idea in Turtle, who disappears and comes back as Race Car: “I zip and zoom.” Rabbit, a bystander, also gains inspiration. They disappear, return wearing a cardboard box, and reveal that they are now Robot: “I beep bop boop.” The trio plays until a sudden rain washes away their disguises. But all is not lost: A passer-by, Squirrel, exclaims that Fox (as Fox) is “the best,” no stripes needed. Using fewer than 60 words, Tabor creates a wonderful arc that includes an open ending (Squirrel paints themselves orange in the wordless final spread). The digitally rendered cartoon illustrations—originally created with pencil, watercolor, and crayon—are energetic and expressive. The overarching message of self-love is a good one, but the no-fuss acceptance of changing identities in text and dialogue (even if they are just pretend) is even better. Feel-good, make-believe fun. (Early reader. 3-6)
Other Books Written by Corey R. Tabor
Mel Fell
Fox at Night
Fox is Late
Overview
Evaluation
The author describes family dynamics from a little boy's point of view. The book features diverse main characters with beautiful illustrations.
A child asserts that there is a bear in his family, and indeed the illustrations show a little boy sharing space with a large gray creature. "Scary, right?" The bear is loud, bossy, and messy. Though the grownups don't see it, we do, as the bear roars the protagonist awake, hogs the chips, and effortlessly picks the boy up and dangles him upside down. Viewers may catch on early that the "bear" is in fact an older sibling. A clever family photo shows Mom holding a newborn (whose blanket matches the main character's sweater) and Dad with a cub on his shoulders; the text reads, "For some reason, my parents think the bear is family." One day, after being sent outside to play, the boy is sitting dejectedly on a swing. When some bullies arrive, he experiences the upside of having a bear (and big sister) in his corner. The digitally created art "with handmade textures" is spare, with rounded edges and subdued hues that defuse the anger and de-claw the danger. Younger sibs everywhere should relate to our protagonist's point of view-and to his eventual realization: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Elissa Gershowitz May/June 2020 p.111
Kirkus Reviews starred (January 15, 2020)
A young boy describes the bear that lives with him. The story opens on the face of an unhappy kid who lives with a bear. The protagonist goes on to show a diagram of the bear, who has “sharp teeth,” “mean eyes,” and “strong arms.” The bear is loud, roaring when the narrator is trying to sleep. The bear is “messy,” “bossy,” and “always hungry,” even stealing the narrator’s food. The bear is “strong” and plays a little rough. The kid tries to tell Mom, but she dismisses the protagonist, suggesting some outside play in the park. At the park, three bigger kids start bullying the narrator, who suddenly wishes there were a bear to help out—and there’s the bear! After this rescue, the kid realizes that sometimes having a bear can be pretty great. It seems having a bear in the family is a lot like having an older sibling. Tatsukawa writes and illustrates a metaphorical but completely accessible tale for any child who has an older sibling. Displayed in a combination of printed text and hand-lettered speech bubbles, the writing is simple and straightforward. The illustrations have a textured-paper look, with cute details, such as the protagonist’s bee sweater and the lion, snake, and shark sweaters the bullies wear. Narrator and family present Asian, and the other kids have a variety of skin tones and hair colors. A thoroughly charming take on sibling relationships. (Picture book. 3-7)
Other Books Written by Maya Tatsukawa
Sunday Pancakes
Dandelion Magic (illustrator)
Overview
Evaluation
The sing-songy cadence of the books gets readers and listeners excited about the text. The author uses rhythm which makes it an enjoyable book to read. The illustrations and lines are memorable which makes a great read aloud for beginner readers.
Preschool-Grade 1. This stylish, retro offering has rhythm and bounce from first line (Brother’s hands tap. / Sister’s hands snap. / Itty-bitty Baby’s hands / CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!) to last. Punctuated by Jazz Baby’s joyous enthusiasm, the percussive text scans like a musical dream, a nearly flawless scat on music, dance, and the contagious joy of jazz. Christie’s gouache illustrations—in a sixties palette of olive, gold, and brick—feature characters with fluid bodies and mobile faces that fill the images with movement and energy. The text itself is part of the composition, moving in and out of the action. Images break the borders of the pages, with half-on, half-off characters and partial views varying the perspectives and keeping the pages lively. Baby’s clap-clap-clap sets off a party that spreads from apartment to street, from Mom and Dad to cousins, neighbors, and friends. Although some children may need an explanation of the antique record player pictured, this is a dance party of a book, a jazzy treat to read and view.
Horn Book Guide starred (March, 2008)
When Daddy puts a record on the turntable, everyone gets into the sound, including the baby in his crib. The rhythmic text continues with everyone singing and dancing until finally "snoozy-woozy baby" drops off to sleep. The vitality comes through both in the lively text and the jazzy, brightly colored gouache paintings, their curves and angles highlighted in black ink.
Other Books Written by Lisa Wheeler
DINO-HALLOWEEN
One Dark Night
Someone Builds the Dream
Overview
Evaluation
This would make a good first chapter book for beginning readers. The illustrations are well done and show details that can really be related to a real forest and real forest animals. The story contains three parts that are distinct enough to provide transition to young readers. The author uses words that are easily understandable and easy to pick up and read.
Grades K-3. In their latest round of endearing adventures, best pals Mouse and Mole suit up excitedly for a day of springtime bird-watching, but before they can focus their binoculars, each of their subjects flies away. Compromising and cooperating are the themes as the friends find elaborate, creative solutions to their problems and make a final project that celebrates their individual talents. Once again, transitional readers will enjoy the well-paced text’s wordplay (including lots of puns); the gentle, realistic friendship conflicts; and the ink-and-watercolor artwork that captures the story’s humor, action, and feeling.
Horn Book Guide (Spring 2010)
Mouse and Mole love bird watching, though they're not very successful at it. When they dress like birds and make their own nest, however, the birds come to them. Afterward, Mole's drawings and Mouse's poems combine to make the perfect birding book. The creatures' affable friendship and gentle adventures come to life through Yee's warm pencil and gouache illustrations.
Other Books Written by Wong Herbert Yee
Who Likes Rain?
Summer Days and Nights
A Small Christmas
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