List of Reviews in this Category (4)

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June 05, 2005

Sitting Ducks

The artwork alone is enough of a reason to read this book. It is probably even gift-worthy. The story of a population of alligators that are busy rearing ducks to eat seemed a bit dark for the genre, but not overly morbid (nothing compared to anything Grimm, or more recently Golem). The tale of a diverse and unexpected friendship is cute. My 3yo daughter loved this book, even though it wasn't my favorite. I should probably give it a higher rating, but this is my blog, dammit! She can rate it at five stars when she learns to type.

This book made me feel like an over-critical meanie. I loved the feel of Michael Bedard's artwork, and that is what drove me to borrow it at the library. Unfortunately the story just didn't do it for me. Mostly it comes down to writing style. I think I will try and find a few more the books he has authored before I fully develop my opinions on Bedard. I found that the phrasing style simply didn't match up with the vocabulary and flow. The story felt like it was written for 1-3 sentence pages with succinct statements. I often felt myself wanting to turn the page, but finding that there was still another paragraph to go first. The phrasing was very simple, but then he'd throw in a few 6th grade words. It just didn't jive, I found myself wondering how this book made it by the editor at a children's book publisher. It was a picture book that so wanted to be a story book, but got caught somewhere in between. The writing style simply came off as "undeveloped" and left an off taste in my mouth. But like I said a second ago, I am an over-critical meanie.

02:07 AM | Comments (0)

 

June 03, 2005

Pumpkin Circle

Wow, did I ever like this book! I had initially picked it because Beth Ann had just planted some sugar pumpkins and I thought it went well with our activity. The photographs are beautiful. It explains a pumpkin's life from seed to decay nicely. The story is perfect for preschoolers, it doesn't try to cram in too much knowledge or facts, just plain simple illustration. Jack is looking forward to scratching a baby pumpkin with a nail and watching the scar grow! I think I may put this on my wishlist of books to own. We've already gone through it several times.

02:25 AM | Comments (0)

 

May 09, 2005

Golem

Deserving of its 1997 Caldecott Medal, Wisniewski's cut-paper illustrations are beautiful. The story takes us back to 16th-Century Prague, when the Blood Lie threatened the existence of Jews living in the Ghetto. Rabbi Loew conjures a clay Golem to protect his people. Accompanying the book is a historical note, helpful when discussing various aspects of the story with your children.

Due to the mature themes in this book (violence & death) I would recommend this story for older children, but the artwork is so beautiful that anyone can get caught up in the illustrations.

10:44 PM | Comments (0)

 

May 07, 2005

The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone

Perfect for springtime, this tells of a time in "Cementland" when a boy discovers some "specks" with the label "Put my wondrous riches into the earth and enjoy." Disappointed when he discovers that thieves have dug up his treasure in the night, the boy sets forth to create a guardian, Frog Belly Rat Bone. The boy (and the thieves) discover patience and the riches that come from waiting for a seed to grow. Every gardening parent should read this to their child!

Ering's artwork is wonderfully refreshing. He takes "Doodle-Art" to a higher level and creates beautiful masterpieces. The pictures are dark, however, and some young children may be a little scared by the illustrations. Everyone in our family loved this book.

10:28 PM | Comments (0)