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Murphy, Jill
9 Reviews
(3)
PS
When Roxy's mom takes her grocery shopping, the little rabbit is thrilled and tries her best to be helpful as they walk the aisles. But the situation quickly goes downhill, culminating in frosting-smeared faces and a tantrum. Paired with spot-on dialogue, the colored-pencil and pen illustrations are both expressive and humorous in capturing the split-second mood transformations toddlers experience.
Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan
(3)
4-6
When bumbling witch-student Mildred's shooting-star wish--for a dog--comes true, she hides her new pet and secretly trains him on the broomstick. But when archrival Ethel's interference ruins their chances in the inter-school competition, can Mildred and Star step up to save the day? Black-and-white vignette drawings and cheerful girls'-school friendships keep this hapless witch's seventh story on an upbeat note.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
(3)
4-6
Mildred, scapegrace student at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, finally comes up with an amazing summer project--a spell to make animals talk--but her rival, perfect Ethel, steals her spell and endangers Einstein, Mildred's bespelled turtle. This well-conducted school story with convincing middle-grade characters features an earnestly likable protagonist in a setting that humorously juxtaposes the ordinary with the fantastical.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
(3)
4-6
Endearing deerhound puppy Alfie accidentally gets separated from his dog-sitter. He ends up living in the wild with two kind foxes who aid him in his quest to find the family that is desperately searching for him. After an encounter with nasty fox-hunting "lampers," Alfie returns home, in a satisfying ending to this warmly told and expressively illustrated gentle adventure.
Reviewer: Susan Halperin
(3)
4-6
This fifth book about Mildred Hubble and her adventures at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches is a light, breezy school story. Mildred repeatedly gets in trouble but saves the day when it most counts. Murphy's ink drawings, some of which look like cut-paper silhouettes, are great fun and make the book especially accessible to intermediate readers.
Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth
(4)
K-3
Mrs. Large is ill, so Mr. Large must take care of their children. The familiar premise is dated: Mr. Large can't manage childcare and chores on his own, and the tiring day ends with everyone piled on Mrs. Large's sickbed. This isn't as effective as the previous books about the elephant family; still, the story and genial illustrations are amusing.
Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth
(4)
K-3
In a predictable story, Marlon wants to play with a group of neighborhood kids, but by the time he's ready for one game (e.g., by dressing up as a musketeer), they've moved on to something else. He tries three times and finally comes up with an activity of his own, which brings the others to him. The cartoonlike illustrations feature affable monster characters.
Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden
(3)
K-3
There is much from family life in these two humorous stories about the Larges, a family of six elephants. In Cake Mrs. Large puts the family on a healthy diet only to have it sabotaged by a cake from Granny. In Quiet Night, Mrs. L. tries to get her children to bed early so she and Mr. Large can celebrate his birthday, but the parents fall asleep, and the children celebrate. Warm colored pencil illustrations add realistic details to the texts.
Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth
(3)
K-3
There is much from family life in these two humorous stories about the Larges, a family of six elephants. In Cake Mrs. Large puts the family on a healthy diet only to have it sabotaged by a cake from Granny. In Quiet Night, Mrs. L. tries to get her children to bed early so she and Mr. Large can celebrate his birthday, but the parents fall asleep, and the children celebrate. Warm colored pencil illustrations add realistic details to the texts.
Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth
9 reviews
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