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Latimer, E.
12 Reviews
(3)
K-3
The speaker in this silly metafictive picture book promises to draw whatever readers or listeners picture in their heads, but instructs, “DON’T THINK OF TIGERS!” Of course, tigers of all sorts and in all styles show up constantly in the humorous, boldly colored illustrations. An enjoyable read-aloud that, with the help of an author’s note, encourages young artists to take risks and “make BAD PICTURES!”
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax
(3)
PS
An egg rolls down the hill and asks every passing dinosaur if it belongs to them ("Excuse me, please, but am I yours? / I'm sure I am a dinosaur's!"). Told in rhyme and dialogue, the book weaves descriptions of dinosaurs with a sweet story of an egg who eventually finds its family. The digital illustrations are bright and expressive.
Reviewer: Kari Allen
(3)
4-6
Thirteen-year-old Bryony's talent as a portrait painter shifts from precocious to threatening when her works start coming to life. As chaos envelops Victorian London, Bryony escapes the attic her uncle keeps her in to search for her missing father, Dorian Gray, making strange friends along the way. Pleasantly creepy, this novel about an intrepid orphan blends art history, classic literature, and adventure to satisfying effect.
Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac
(3)
K-3
When siblings Joe and Sally spot footprints, Joe thinks they're from a dinosaur. The tracks first lead to their cat's empty food bowl: "It must be a very hungry dinosaur." Readers will enjoy watching Sally's thought-bubble dino morph with the siblings' progressive attempts to make sense of accumulating clues. Latimer's mixed-media illustrations capture the imaginary (or is it?) beast in its droll excess.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
(3)
K-3
Ben goes on vacation with his parents, leaving devoted-but-destructive dog Buster with Grampa. Ben's notes and postcards provide Grampa with dog-care tips, but he forgets the most important one: "Never take Buster to the post office!" Boy and dog's reunion is touching and, thanks to some dog-training, disaster-free. Dynamic cartoonlike illustrations are well matched with the humorous text (complete with fart jokes).
Reviewer: Katie Bircher
(3)
K-3
Pig and Bug want to be friends, though riding a tandem bike and playing chess prove awkward and tricky for two different-size creatures. They persevere in friendship, discovering some activities--seeing movies, visiting art museums and aquariums--they can enjoy together. Precise digitized pencil drawings with quirky knitted-fabric details humorously express the story's message of overcoming differences to make a friendship work.
Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden
(3)
K-3
Fretting about going to a new school, Florence writes a letter to the panda at the neighboring zoo, and a friendship is formed. Panda's companionship and support gives Flo the courage (and the common ground) to make a friend at school. Tidy illustrations of rosy-cheeked children and pandas with big round heads are as reassuring as having a good friend by your side.
Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden
(3)
K-3
When Bear, Moose, and Tiger all fail, Rabbit steps up to stop Lion's bullying ways. Fooled by his small stature, Lion is quickly outwitted by Rabbit (and his twenty-one brothers), and Lion's tyranny comes to an end. The humorous, silly digitized drawings invigorate the otherwise heavy topic of bullying, while the story's twist makes this a refreshing addition to the canon.
Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden
(3)
K-3
Without a talent of his own, Penguin puts his efforts into organizing the Big Talent Show. Great music, food, and a special guest speaker make the show wildly successful. When his friends throw him a thank you party, it is clear that Penguin has a talent they lack: event planning. Sweet, gently hued drawings add subtle humor to this story about self-discovery.
Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden
(3)
K-3
Every time his parents accuse him of wrongdoing, Tim blames a ninja (or an astronaut or a giant squid)--but he's telling the truth. He tries lying--accepting the blame--but he still gets in trouble. What's a kid to do? Latimer's solution is sublime, and his clean-lined illustrations make the story's mayhem navigable.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
(4)
PS
To everyone's dismay, Emily keeps losing her temper and turning into a roaring tiger. As it happens, Granny can become a tiger, too, but Granny's in control of her tiger self; she quickly shows Emily how to become "a happy tiger instead of an angry one." The collage illustrations have plenty of bounce, but Emily's overnight turnaround isn't entirely convincing.
Reviewer: Martha Sibert
(4)
K-3
Ignored by his family and teacher, Sam starts shrinking. He falls down the drain and meets a girl in the same predicament. They begin to grow by listening to each other, and Sam keeps growing once he realizes his family really loves him. Accompanied by perky collage illustrations, the story makes its heavy-handed point with a fairly light touch.
Reviewer: Martha Sibert
12 reviews
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