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Cushman, Doug
11 Reviews
(4)
K-3
In seventeen humorous poems accompanied by watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations akin to vintage film posters, Cushman pays homage to classic movies through a porcine lens. While the puns are successful, the mostly mid-twentieth-century movies parodied are likely unappreciated by young children. An appended "Movie Credits" section outlines the inspiration for each poem.
Reviewer: Shara Hardeson
(2)
PS
As a girl holds a snow globe containing a miniature Santa's workshop, rhyming text asks how critters at the North Pole would say good night (e.g., a reindeer says "Jingle! Jingle!"). The book closes with the girl asleep; when readers spot her pointy elf ears, they'll turn back to the beginning to see how Cushman's clever illustrations disguised her as a human.
Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2011
(3)
K-3
"If you were a monster on Halloween night, / How would you wish your momma and papa good night?" A little wolf would "Yowwll!" at its werewolf dad, a tiny sea monster would "Glug! Glug!" at its lagoon-creature mom, etc. Cushman's art brings home his kid-tickling concept: that even menacing monsters are loving and gentle with their offspring. Glos.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
(3)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
The town of Ghostly is home to a variety of friendly supernatural citizens, including skeleton investigator Dirk Bones. After books start disappearing from the library, Dirk discovers that Lenore, a giant talking vine, has "borrowed" them to read to her children. The solution? Get Lenore a library card. Cushman's tale, an unabashed plug for reading, is entertaining light fare for beginning readers.
Reviewer: Martha Sibert
(3)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
Someone is making strange noises and frightening the residents of the town of Ghostly, where all the inhabitants are supernatural beings. Newspaper reporter Dirk Bones, a skeleton clad in a trench coat and fedora, investigates the problem and uncovers a comical reason for the disturbance. The mysterious (and wacky) situation, along with the amusing illustrations, will likely draw in readers.
Reviewer: Martha Sibert
(4)
K-3
In this send-up of the hard-boiled detective genre, elephant Nick Trunk investigates the case of six lucky marbles that were stolen from Lola, a lounge singer who's depicted as a fox. The so-so mystery plot is accompanied by black-and-white illustrations in a film-noir style. Picture book readers are too young to understand what's being parodied.
Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta
(4)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
Bringing a touch of science fiction to the easy-reader crowd, Cushman introduces a new character, Space Cat, and his sidekick, a robot named Earl. After landing on a strange planet, Space Cat needs fuel to fly home and King Zorp won't give him any, until Earl's gluey noodles save the day. The book is mildly amusing, with illustrations reminiscent of 1960s TV cartoons.
Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt
(4)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
Although the resolutions of these four mysteries show that Inspector Hopper hasn't lost his deductive skills, the recounting of them lacks the child-appropriate wordplay, clever characterizations, and attention to familiar experiences that marked his initial outing. Still, this easy-to-read text provides Inspector Hopper fans a nonthreatening diversion for practicing their newly acquired reading skills.
Reviewer: Betty Carter
(1)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
Beginning readers will find a familiar structure, natural language, compelling plot, supporting illustrations, and engaging characters when they meet Inspector Hopper and his faithful partner, McBugg--two gumshoes (a grasshopper and a beetle) who solve mysteries occurring in the arthropod world. The light watercolors define the characters as soft-boiled while slyly playing on stereotypes out of film noir.
Reviewer: Betty Carter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2000
(4)
K-3
In the second story about Seymour Sleuth, the detective travels to Borneo to discover who is threatening Dr. Tann's search for the mysterious Black Flower. The illustrations and text form the pages of his casebook, complete with dirt smudges and photos of clues. While the amusing text drops enough hints for readers to guess the culprit's identity, the story's logic falters somewhat at the end.
Reviewer: Martha Sibert
(3)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
Dressed as a real detective in a Sherlock Holmes-style cap and overcoat, Aunt Eater spends her Halloween investigating four spooky cases. The first three mysteries turn out to be simple misunderstandings, but the final one stumps even Aunt Eater. Like earlier books in the series, this fourth Aunt Eater mystery features easy wording, large type, and lively illustrations.
Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger
11 reviews
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