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Wilhelm, Hans
7 Reviews
(3)
PS
This deceptively straightforward tale tells of animals looking in a "hole," seeing only their own reflections, and arguing about what's inside. Mark Twain's "A Fable," which provided the inspiration, is appended, and its moral sheds light on this adaptation. Large-scale illustrations zoom in on the animals' faces and use simple lines and (mostly) one-tone backgrounds to reflect the story's minimalist approach.
Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth
(4)
K-3
A boy gives a stump speech enumerating why to vote for his affable canine companion, Buddy. These reasons include, among other things, the opportunity for more dogs to become teachers and a law about bedtime being for grownups only. Wilhelm's friendly, inviting watercolor illustrations complement the lighthearted tale, which goes on a little too long.
Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello
(4)
K-3
Step into Reading series.
"You eat like a monster," says Mama Bug to Baby Bug. This comment, misheard, sets off a chain reaction, as Inchworm, Toad, Mouse, Rabbit, and Fox hide from the monster they think is upon them. Though the story line is overly familiar, details in the accessible text and comical cartoon illustrations are likely to make new readers giggle.
Reviewer: Barbara Barstow
(4)
K-3
When Nana Bear's beloved cockatoo flies out the window, Toby tries to cheer up his grandmother by making her a card ("with lots of love") so big that he must wrap it in newspaper--which, Nana Bear notices, features a classified ad relaying news of a found cockatoo. Wilhelm's cartoony art is not as appealing as the swift plotting and love-can-work-wonders message.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
(4)
K-3
Anook, the youngest polar bear princess in Northland, is tricked by her sisters to ensure that the king won't select her to be queen. On her own in a cold world, Anook turns her luck around. Derived from the same tale-type as King Lear, the story doesn't mesh with Wilhelm's cuddly art, but the swift plotting will keep kids interested.
Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen
(4)
K-3
When hedgehog Quentin, a night creature, awakens in daytime, he's fascinated by the sunbeams streaming through the trees and determines to make a tree house to view the sun from. Sneaky Fox, sensing an opportunity for hedgehog stew, bets Quentin won't complete it, but Quentin has tricks of his own. Cartoonlike art illustrates this somewhat predictable story of perseverance.
Reviewer: Susan Halperin
(4)
K-3
In this parable about the Buddhist value of keeping an equitable spirit, a carpet weaver keeps working steadily at his loom, unfazed by news both good and bad. The illustrations' changing hues reflect the carpet weaver's changing fortune, until the final illustration of a finished carpet in vibrant colors shows elements of the story in an ordered pattern. No source notes are included.
Reviewer: Pamela McCuen
7 reviews
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