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Matt Hunt
4 Reviews
(2)
PS
Illustrated by
Matt Hunt.
The story opens with a boat floating in the moat of a castle. In the boat, there is a stoat who "played / in the boat / and rocked / in the boat / and rolled / in the boat." Everything's great until a goat (wearing a bright yellow coat7, naturally) jumps in the boat, also wanting to float. This book has a Seussian level of rhythm, rhyme, and repetition, which builds a boisterous, loopy energy. The illustrations see and raise this spirit in bold colors with few lines and a mixed-media look. The compositions begin with a wide field and then zoom in tight to heighten the tension when the duo starts bickering and tempers escalate. "This is a boat for a stoat / not a goat!" This book is funny, too -- particularly images of the goat with its round, stunned eyes and skinny legs akimbo. Eventually the fighting tips the boat. Once in the water, it becomes clear that the stoat can't swim, and the goat has a choice to make. This book makes for a dynamic read-aloud, but with its predictability, simple language, and repetition, this is also an excellent choice for new readers.
Reviewer: Adrienne L. Pettinelli
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2024
(2)
PS
Illustrated by
Matt Hunt.
Traffic ("honk, honk, honk!") wakes Elephant at 5:30 a.m. Then bird song ("chirp, chirp, chirp!") interrupts breakfast, while barking dogs ("yip, yip, yip!") disturb his morning walk--and the noise grows from page to page. Elephant blames noises for every personal blunder, from tripping to spilling a drink. When a marching band comes through ("WHAM, BAM, BAM! WHAP, TAP, TAP!"), miserable Elephant declares, "Quiet down, I'm going to snap!" The mixed-media illustrations are busy with vibrant color, visual comedy, and rhyming sound words for listeners to shout--until Elephant does snap, leading to a quiet, wordless spread full of Elephant's glowering neighbors going now-silently about their early evening. Unfortunately, it turns out that too much quiet also disrupts Elephant's sleep. After hours of tossing and turning, reading, snacking, and counting (the clock slips from 10:00 p.m. to 4:15 a.m.), Elephant turns on the radio, the television, two fans, and the kitchen stand mixer. The cacophony of sounds sends him snoring until all the neighbors arrive to have a word. "Holy cow...what a crowd! I did not know I was so loud. Maybe then, all of you did not mean to be loud too?" Neighborhood peace is restored with free coffee for everyone in the morning--Elephant's treat--and the promise of a new day and new understanding.
Reviewer: Julie Roach
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2021
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Matt Hunt.
A family moves into a new home and finds a walrus in the tub. The son catalogs the attendant problems: "bathtub tidal waves," "wet towels," etc. After attempts to evict the walrus fail, the family resolves to move again...until the walrus explains its actions. This riotous yarn about seeing the glass half-full is awash in visual gags.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Matt Hunt.
Tired of standing in one position for a hundred-plus years, Lady Liberty sets off on foot to see America. Will she make it home by July fourth, or will the holiday be canceled? It's rewarding armchair sightseeing, and Hunt injects humor into the illustrations of Liberty making the rounds (she's an impressive fifth head on Mount Rushmore). Historical information is appended. Reading list.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
4 reviews
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