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32 pp.
| Scholastic
| April, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-545-46261-7$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Derek Anderson.
Hot Rod Hamster and his bulldog buddy (and readers, too) have myriad choices of rides and food at the fair: "Slurp treats, lick treats, eat it on a stick treats. Which would you choose?" Ultimately, Hot Rod's biggest thrill is filling in for driver Fearless Franco in Monster Truck Mania. Colorful acrylics complement the peppy rhymes and the boisterous good time.
32 pp.
| Simon
| October, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4169-9032-1$16.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Derek Anderson.
Generally snappy rhymes usher a couple of dragons through their morning routine with the help of a shining-armor-clad boy and his dog, who have a vested interest: a final spread reveals that the dragons are their ride to "knight school." A couple of the rhymes are strained, but with tooth-brushing, waffle-eating dragons to look at, kids probably won’t mind.
40 pp.
| Scholastic
| August, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-545-25522-6$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Derek Anderson.
"Best day, bake day, candles on a cake day!" A chipper text, along with dialogue balloons, tells of Hamster's surprise birthday party. While Hamster accompanies his bulldog best friend on mundane errands, preparations for the party are ongoing. The festive, cartoony acrylic illustrations are thoughtfully composed.
40 pp.
| Scholastic
| February, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-545-03530-9$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Derek Anderson.
A feisty little hamster is determined to join the big dogs in a hot rod race. With help from his friends (and the reader), Hamster builds the perfect car. A consistent rhyming text poses choices ("Rust car, clean car, itty bitty green car") and asks, "Which would you choose?" Large, colorful acrylic illustrations enhance the action of this root-for-the-underdog read-aloud.
40 pp.
| Simon/Wiseman
| February, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4169-5888-8$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Derek Anderson.
Artist Mira Bella teaches classes at Ballyhoo Beach beside Ballyhoo Bay. Just before the big art fair, real estate developers swoop in and close the beach. Initially crestfallen, Mira Bella's students--kids and grannies, seagulls, fish, and crabs--defiantly march to town hall to save the bay. The lively rhymed text, full of alliteration and wordplay, is well matched by humorous acrylic caricature illustrations.
32 pp.
| Simon
| January, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4169-2833-1$9.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Derek Anderson.
"Chugga chugga poooo-pooooooo!" This potty-training book exploits toddlers' infatuation with trains. Readers follow a little boy sitting on a toilet/train-car hybrid accompanied by a supportive all-animal ridership. A train-ticket-to-continence metaphor is the running narrative ("Soon, you'll even ride through the night"). Acrylic illustrations featuring bright-eyed characters suggest The Little Engine That Could meets the TV age.
32 pp.
| Simon
| February, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-689-86894-4$14.95
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Derek Anderson.
One by one, Mama Duck's five ducklings go to sleep but not before Mama identifies mysterious noises and sights ("whooo! whooo! whooo!" is an owl hooting; "sway, sway, sway" is a tree moving). An appropriately quiet text featuring effective use of repetition ("Now it's sleepy time, little ducklings") and boldly composed double-page spreads combine to tell a reassuring bedtime story.