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40 pp.
| Holt
| January, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-9687-3$16.99
(3)
PS
"Where do bunnies go when they dream?" The chubby critters snuggle deep in their burrow to dream of animals, letters, numbers, and more. Meticulous, softly rendered line drawings set against stark white backgrounds show the bunnies growing increasingly, intriguingly anthropomorphized as they dream. This secret life of bunnies draws readers toward imagination, concept learning, and, of course, bedtime.
(2)
PS
Genial animal siblings Sancho, Bella, Lola, Ava, and Maria introduce their skeptical cousin Pedro, visiting from warmer climes, to the joys of snow. One group sled-run down the hill produces an enthusiastic convert. Straightforward sensory descriptions will resonate with readers just as much as the earnest advice for approaching this new experience. Pastel watercolors and fine-lined ink textures emphasize the narrative's open, easy feel.
Reviewer: Claire E. Gross
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2015
32 pp.
| Holt
| September, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-9253-0$16.99
(4)
K-3
Bobby and friends gather for a game of after-school football--all except Jimmy, who wants to rake "all these leaves." When dog Sparky intercepts a pass, the leaves, kids, and dog all end up in a glorious pileup. For such a boisterous sport, this game seems remarkably gentle, which might disappoint some. McCarty's softly colored and delicately rendered illustrations convey a quiet autumnal mood.
32 pp.
| Holt
| January, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-9030-7$16.99
(3)
K-3
In this sequel to Jeremy Draws a Monster, the boy learns of the monster's imminent return, so he enlists some kids to draw monster "friends" to placate him. In the book's conclusion, Jeremy admits his ulterior motive: his ploy earned friends for him, too. McCarty hints at Jeremy's loneliness in his sensitive illustrations set in an adult-free anonymous city.
(2)
PS
McCarty's delicate, softly shaded illustrations reinforce rabbit Chloe's feelings of contentment being the middle bunny of twenty-one. When a new television comes between her and her family, Chloe isn't happy about it. Some bubble wrap ("Pop! Bop! Bip! Bip! Pap!"), a cardboard box, and determination help Chloe lure her siblings away from the set and into her imaginative play.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2012
(3)
K-3
Shy cat Henry has a crush on rabbit classmate Chloe and doesn't know what to do about it; a blueberry muffin ultimately helps. McCarty shows genuine respect for children's interpersonal relationships. Not a stroke of his pen is superfluous: delicate ink with modest watercolor shading sits on warm cream-colored pages.
40 pp.
| Holt
| September, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-6934-1$16.99
(4)
K-3
Because he's lonely, Jeremy draws a big blue monster. Eventually tiring of the monster's demands, Jeremy draws the beast a one-way ticket out of town, then leads it to the bus stop. In an abrupt ending, the kids outside ask Jeremy, "Do you want to play ball?" Engaging pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations on pages with lots of white space will capture readers' imaginations.
32 pp.
| Holt
| May, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-7713-1$16.95
(2)
PS
Part two in the adventures of cat Fabian and dog Hondo has low-key charm. Just as Hondo ambles back in after his walk, Fabian leaps out into the yard. In McCarty's soft-focus pencil art, the comfortably rotund, friendly looking main characters perform similar actions in their respective locales. The narrative eventually comes full circle: Fabian heads into the house; Hondo heads out.
32 pp.
| Holt
| September, 2006
|
TradeISBN 0-8050-7943-2$16.95
(4)
K-3
When a boy sees an airplane overhead he imagines what it would be like to fly to the moon. Soft pencil drawings (à la Chris Van Allsburg) with a light blush of color set on thick, creamy paper gracefully bring the boy's fantasy to life. The ending, however, seems abrupt, as he returns home and goes directly to bed.
32 pp.
| Holt
| August, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-8050-7404-X$15.95
(3)
PS
A Tyrannosaurus rex bemoans his bad-guy image and makes a bid for sympathy in this imaginative portrayal of a dinosaur's perspective. Shadowy pencil drawings in muted tones accompany the succinct text, capturing the wistfulness in the expression of the "terrible lizard" as he tries to convince readers that he can't help being the way he is.
32 pp.
| Holt
| April, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-8050-6352-8$$16.95
(4)
PS
Hondo the dog's adventures at the beach and Fabian the cat's experiences at home are juxtaposed in a simple, quiet tale of a day in the life of two pets. While lacking drama, the narrative exudes a pleasant familiarity. Softly blurred colored-pencil illustrations are accompanied by brief text suitable for young listeners as well as beginning readers.
32 pp.
| Holt
| October, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-8050-5953-9$$16.00
(4)
PS
Each month of Baby Suki's first year is described in a couple of brief sentences by her father. The handsomely designed book contains realistic pencil illustrations of Suki laughing, sleeping, eating, and walking. The main appeal will be to brand-new parents, though toddlers enamored of young babies may enjoy the pictures, and Suki's Korean-American ethnicity adds interest.
32 pp.
| Holt
| October, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-8050-4620-8$$15.95
(3)
PS
A ghostly glowing white bunny tromps through livestock-studded fields, across train tracks, and between trees toward an unknown destination, revealed at book's end to be his home with the other bunnies. The marriage of ethereal pencil and watercolor artwork and spare, repetitive text has an odd but not entirely unsatisfying effect, as if the story takes place within a dream.