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Stadler, Alexander
8 Reviews
(3)
4-6
In his second "episode," Julian continues to believe he has been sent to Earth to observe and report on human behavior, this time as people celebrate Thanksgiving. In addition to facing parental indignities, Julian suffers through a visit from the extended family ("genetically linked mini-brains"). The amusing text is well paired with squiggly-lined black-and-white illustrations, including cartoon panels, accented with orange.
Reviewer: David Elzey
(4)
4-6
Julian, banished to his room after refusing to take out the trash, complains of his mistreatment to imaginary superiors on an intergalactic mothership. Despite the injustices leveled against him, he ultimately decides to save the planet from annihilation by following through on his chore. Squiggly-lined black-and-white illustrations, including cartoon panels, accented with green help differentiate between reality and exaggeration.
Reviewer: David Elzey
(3)
K-3
Beverly decides to bake a castle-shaped cake for her friend Oliver's birthday. Her dad helps her shop for ingredients, and her mom helps her prepare it. But when the cake is ruined (it sticks to the pan and must be cut free), Mrs. Billingsly encourages Beverly to improvise. Both the story and the bold-lined, pastel-colored illustrations are appealing.
Reviewer: Mark Adam
(3)
K-3
"Why share? If a toy is fun, why let go of it?" Duncan Rumplemeyer sometimes has trouble following the rules, and one birthday he goes too far. The precocious first-person narration is meant to be funny more than it's meant to authentically capture a child's voice and impressions--and funny it is, with assistance from the manic black-outlined images of the birthday brat in action.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
(4)
K-3
Lila Bloom is in such a bad mood that she decides to quit ballet. Her dance teacher's feigned indifference, however, sparks a flame in Lila. Soon she's leaping high, spinning fast, and signing up for two classes a week. Illustrated with Stadler's black-outlined childlike figures, this book may motivate reluctant dancers, but most younger listeners will miss the reverse-psychology subtext.
Reviewer: Lauren Rizzuto
(2)
K-3
Brainy friends Beverly and Oliver, tired of being branded "losers" at sports, decide to learn how to play softball. Beverly tries to learn by looking at books, but librarian Mrs. Del Rubio gently redirects her: "Have you ever considered practicing?" Beverly and Oliver work tirelessly until they can demonstrate their new skills to their flabbergasted teammates. The illustrations reveal character and situation simply but effectively.
Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2004
(3)
K-3
Beverly Billingsly wants more than anything to be in the school play, but she freezes during her audition. Though she gets small parts (a wall and a shrub), her dedication and enthusiasm play a big role in the performance's success. Stadler's warm, sweet story and boldly outlined, pastel-colored cartoon illustrations are both simple and full of personality.
Reviewer: Mark Adam
(3)
K-3
Beverly Billingsly loves the dinosaur book she's checked out from the library so much that she forgets to return it on time. She worries that she'll have to pay a thousand dollar fine or go to jail and has nightmares about being eaten by a triceratops. The simple story is warm and comforting; the gouache illustrations with thick, bold outlines add character.
Reviewer: Mark Adam
8 reviews
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