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Hancocks, Helen
4 Reviews
(3)
K-3
This picture book inspired by Ella Fitzgerald's friendship with Marilyn Monroe centers on an instance in the 1950s when Monroe's influence supposedly helped black Fitzgerald be allowed to perform at a popular NYC venue. Evoking the nightclub's glitz and glamour, the bright-colored, graphic illustrations on thick pages are the draw here. Short bios of both women and a photo conclude the book.
Reviewer: Christina Dorr
(4)
K-3
Cat detective William (William & the Missing Masterpiece) helps a dazzling starlet recover the stolen winners' statues for the Golden Cuckoo Awards ceremony in Hollywood. Although the identity of the culprit is a bit too obvious, readers will still enjoy following William as he searches for clues throughout the sprawling Cuckoo Studios. Hancocks's pencil and gouache art depicts Old Hollywood in all its glitz and glamour.
Reviewer: Lana Barnes
(4)
K-3
"International cat of mystery" William is called to help investigate the heist of the Mona Cheesa from a museum in Paris. Readers will enjoy following the clues throughout this picture-book mystery, thanks largely to clever details in Hancocks's pencil and gouache illustrations; what kids may not follow is the story's facetious parodying of high-art culture (and many famous paintings).
Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen
(4)
K-3
For a fish-catching scheme, three hungry cats steal a penguin from a zoo. He makes a break for it and, thanks to a little bird, ultimately reaches safety. Readers expecting a plot twist will be disappointed: the story's cleverness is restricted to the urbane illustrations, particularly one displaying the underground network of pipes that connects a public fountain with the city zoo.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
4 reviews
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