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(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Doug Keith.
Approaching Giant Island in Grandpa's motorboat, Ava and Mason wonder why the small island has such a name. Grandpa says it's always been called that: "That's what my grandpa told me." The children explore the island while Grandpa goes fishing and discover a cave "dripping with mystery." Next, they jump into the water, noting that there "seemed to be magic everywhere" (the illustration shows the two floating in giant bubbles beneath the water's surface). From a rocky ledge they can see the entire island: "Mason, look! The whole island is a giant!" By wielding perspective and scale in playful ways, Keith provides visual clues along the way: a stone that serves as the giant's eye, moss that looks like its hair, and rocks under the water that form a giant's affable face. The rocky ledge is the giant's extended arm. Yolen fills the text with the children's excited dialogue, which gives the book a lively tone; when Grandpa whispers as they leave at sunset, "Always good to see you, old friend," readers know his intention was to give his grandchildren the same thrilling adventures he had as a child. The contrasts in the opening and closing endpapers celebrate the power of imagination to make magic.
Reviewer: Julie Danielson
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2022
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| April, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-936261-89-5$17.95
|
EbookISBN 978-1-936261-90-1
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Isabella Ongaro.
Bedtime sympathy from Dad elevates Grace's bad day of getting in trouble with Mom (e.g., to her bedroom-banishment Dad responds "like a princess in a tower"). Eventually, Grace ran away into a backyard tent (set up by Mom). The familiar story evokes empathy for Grace's very real frustrations and her mixed responses to authority. Colorful if flat illustrations contain clever details that enhance the narrative.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Guy Wolek.
Jackson the mole's new home is occupied by a ghost, a monster, and a pixie. Jackson patiently and creatively deals with their irritating habits, and they all become friends. The story provides an unexpected take on both nighttime fears and friendship, with plenty of silliness along with its reassurances. The detailed digital illustrations bring personality to the creatures and the home.
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| April, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-936261-36-9$17.95
|
EbookISBN 978-1-936261-83-3
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jessica Warrick.
When Darcy's playdate is canceled, her father suggests "Darcy-Daddy Day" instead, alternating her planned activities with items from his to-do list. Daddy picks first: "coffee time," with chocolate milk for Darcy. Next up is "super fancy" dress-up--Darcy's choice--and Daddy dons a pink tutu. Humorous illustrations capture the fun being had in this warm celebration of family, love, and play.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Howard McWilliam.
Ethan's resident monster, Gabe (I Need My Monster), has left to hide under Ethan's little sister Emma's new toddler bed. Ethan tries out other monsters to take Gabe's place scaring Emma; Gabe's tutu-wearing little sister ultimately proves (via rather mundane tactics) to be the right monster. As the text upends bedtime fears, the humorous digitally painted illustrations take the frightening edge off the creatures.
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| April, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-9362613-3-8$17.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Lucas Turnbloom.
Two young neighbor boys--one dressed as Dragon and the other as Captain--engage in a morning of imaginative play, as they rescue Captain's ship from pirates. The comic book–style illustrations for this entertaining tale alternate between pictures of the boys in their real-life setting and pictures of Dragon and Captain on their adventure; readers will enjoy seeing how their lively imaginations work.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Howard McWilliam.
The little boy and his imaginary (or is he?) dragon pal from When a Dragon Moves In are at first welcoming when the new baby comes home. Typical jealousies and frustrations arise, resulting in a time out, until Dragon helps the boy embrace his big-brother status. McWilliam's humorously caricatured illustrations with dynamic perspectives are the highlight of this predictable new-sibling story.
36 pp.
| Flashlight
| September, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-9362612-9-1$17.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Vin Vogel.
When Sofia finds Maddi's refrigerator nearly empty because Maddi's mother doesn't have enough money to buy food, Sofia promises to keep it a secret. But eventually Sofia tells her own mother, and together they gather some groceries for Maddi's family. Humorous art and a story line focusing on the girls' friendship keep the tone light. Notes on combating hunger are included.
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| April, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-9362612-8-4$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Tom Goldsmith.
"Ben was short. Zip was shorter." While strolling on the boardwalk, young Ben loses Zip. Readers follow the search for what they assume is a child, but there's a well-played surprise at book's end: Zip is a dog. The somewhat ungainly illustrations show the world through Ben's eyes, which means that one spread is devoted to knees, another to bellies.
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| September, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-1-9362612-7-7$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Zac Retz.
Matty ignores his art teacher's warning against using "too much glue" and learns when he takes a flying leap onto his project that he probably should have listened. The outlandish story revolves around efforts to extract Matty from his glue straitjacket, which ultimately becomes its own artwork. The involved illustrations do it justice; too bad Matty's voice is not convincingly childlike.
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| June, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-9362611-2-3$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Mark Meyers.
Victricia falls short in the pirate life to which she was born, gravitating toward dry land and books. The rhyming text is lengthy but makes each punch line feel earned. Plentiful daylight in the humorous illustrations tells readers these aren't sinister pirates. Close observers may enjoy some cleverly titled books in Victricia's collection, including Don't Let the Pigeon Steer the Ship.
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| October, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-9362611-9-2$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Andrea Castellani.
Frank is aptly named ("Your singing is kind of shrieky"). Snubbed by his classmates and others, he turns to his grandfather, who demonstrates how to tell the truth "the right way." The familiar premise is made wholly fresh by the book's rampant humor, both textual and Photoshopped (Principal Wiggins's toupée really does look, in Frank's words, like a "pet weasel").
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| March, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-9799746-8-7$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Anne Jewett.
Although Grandma Tillie claims sedentary interests, she is anything but when she babysits for Sophie and Chloe. Grandma's "Tillie Vanilly Show" and her various other personae and acts, complete with jokes, riddles, makeovers, song, and dance, delight the young sisters. The fanciful typeface and pastel illustrations of doe-eyed characters strain too hard to make a splash, but the story is endearing.
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| October, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-9799746-9-4$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Suzanne Beaky.
One day overscheduled Ernestine bails on her lessons to do something outrageous: play. The book has a capital M message but also lots of heart. Plus, there's amusement in Lodding's text (e.g., a yodeling teacher named "Little Old Lady Hoo") and in Beaky's acrylics (e.g., Ernestine's fully clothed mother holds up a sign underwater asking Ernestine's swimming instructor where her daughter is).
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| May, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-979974-67-0$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Howard McWilliam.
A dragon moves into a boy's "perfect sandcastle," but his family doesn't believe him. The roaring they hear is waves crashing, the dragon's feather is from a seagull, and its teeth "are just broken shells." While the concept certainly isn't original, the digital illustrations do a good job extending the humor of the situation.
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| April, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-9799746-5-6$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
David Parkins.
Though Dad complains vehemently every time Mom brings home a stray cat, she convinces him to keep each homeless feline: "His leg is broken. He can't walk. He's easy pickings for a hawk." Five cats later, Dad puts his foot down--and adopts a dog. The rollicking rhyming tale with its comical pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations is an enjoyable read-aloud for pet lovers.
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| September, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-97-9974-66-3$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Wendy Edelson.
While tromping through the snow with Dad, Pobble drops a mitten. Forest animals, including a squirrel, bunny, and owl, examine the object, speculating on its name and purpose (Owl: "'It's a wing warmer.' 'No,' Duck assured her. 'It is a fish coat'"). Though the text leans toward cutesy and the paintings can be stiff, the warm wintry tale is mildly diverting.
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| September, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-9799746-4-9$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
David Parkins.
Bouncy rhymed text and humorous pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations follow little Emmy's path of destruction. Mom, a first-class dupe, always comes to her rescue ("She told him to be nice to me. / After all...I'm only three"), but the mishaps pile up. Though the story's hilarity can be forced, older siblings will be satisfied by the tale's ending.
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| April, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-9799746-2-5$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Howard McWilliam.
Ethan's under-the-bed monster has "Gone Fishing." Missing the creature's familiar "ragged breathing," "nose-whistling," and "spooky green ooze," Ethan wonders how he'll ever get to sleep. Substitute monsters apply, but none passes inspection. The humorous text diffuses bedtime fears (though the joke goes on too long). Synthetic-looking digitally painted illustrations bring the sort-of-scary, mostly-silly monsters out of their lairs.
32 pp.
| Flashlight
| October, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-9799746-1-8$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jeffrey Ebbeler.
Samuel is convinced that his parents are doing something fabulous after he goes to bed, so one night he stays up. In the acrylic illustrations, Samuel's flashlight warmly illuminates the imagined scenes of a circus, a spaceship, and other spectacles, while the rhyming text bounces along. Though it's not the most original premise, it's fairly well executed.