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48 pp.
| Simon/Beach Lane
| March, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4814-7668-3$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4814-7669-0
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
Goldberg (1883–1970) dreamed of becoming a newspaper cartoonist but initially studied engineering. Eventually Goldberg was hired as a cartoonist at the New York Evening Mail, where he concocted the "screwball contraptions" we now call Rube Goldberg machines. Aronson notes that Goldberg "drew comics to make us look closer"; fittingly, this thoughtful, playful picture-book biography does just that, with whimsical pencil, ink, and digital illustrations capturing the intricacies of the imagined machines. Bib.
Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2019
40 pp.
| Dial
| February, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-525-42819-0$16.99
(1)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
This picture book biography chronicles pop artist Haring's childhood, early adulthood, and brief but momentous career. Written by Haring's sister, it's guided by his unapologetic rejection of artistic pretension and illustrated in--what else?--a friendly and accessible cartoony style that fluidly integrates Haring's own work. Neubecker's illustrations solidly build settings, many of which are quintessential 1980s NYC art scenes.
Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2017
40 pp.
| Boyds
| October, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59078-957-5$17.95
(2)
PS
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
In their third imaginary interplanetary adventure (following Space Boy and the Space Pirate), Niko, dog Tag, and toy robot Radar encounter the fearsome Snow Monster from Planet Ice (a.k.a. Niko's sister, Posh), who takes Radar captive. Curtis's energetic, very funny text stays true to Niko's perspective. Neubecker's lively digital illustrations strike the right balance between what's actually happening in their snow-covered backyard and what's pretend play.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2018
48 pp.
| Simon/Beach Lane
| July, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4814-2657-2$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4814-2658-9
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
Humorously illustrated in bright colors and with Baroque patterns and unique perspectives, this historical-fiction story about King Louis XIV's "shrimp" stature--and how he compensated for it--will engage any child. By story's end, the witty text (printed in a font of varying sizes and colors) leaves no doubt that it's always best to be yourself. The book concludes with fourteen facts about the king.
40 pp.
| Boyds
| March, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59078-956-8$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
In his backyard, imaginative Niko (Space Boy and His [Sister] Dog) blasts off to Planet Zorg after space pirate (sister) Posh "abducts" cousin Sasha. Despite the pirate stealing their (cardboard) spaceship, the brave crew manages to return to Planet Home (Earth); but can they reboot when the pirate declares: "Let's delete ourselves from this story"? The out-of-this world illustrations help advance the imaginative meta-fictive adventure.
40 pp.
| Knopf
| April, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-553-50993-9$17.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-553-50994-6$20.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-553-50995-3
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
At the fair, our narrator wins not a goldfish but a whale named Nuncio. The boy takes Nuncio home and installs him in his swimming pool. At first the adjustment is difficult, but after the boy realizes that Nuncio can help with chores (e.g., washing the car), he becomes one of the family. Lack of logic is balanced by heart; the illustrations of the brown boy and his blue whale have energy and humor.
32 pp.
| Boyds
| April, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59078-955-1$16.95
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
Space hero Niko and his dog are on a moon mission to find a lost cat. The illustrations show what's really happening: a pretend journey in a cardboard-box spaceship. They're joined by stowaway/sister Posh ("but she is not in this story"). Comical illustrations follow Niko's imagination, working in concert with the tongue-in-cheek text and making the relatively sophisticated structure easier to follow.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2015
32 pp.
| Boyds
| September, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62979-102-9$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
A handful of adorably hapless monsters try to befriend humans, growing increasingly discouraged as each ploy reaps only fear. The simple, sympathetic text is enhanced by joke-filled illustrations that show the monsters attempting crafts, snacks, and playtime with hilariously unsuccessful results (the eyeball ice-cream cone is a particularly nice touch). The happy ending, though unsurprising, feels earned.
32 pp.
| Boyds
| August, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62091-024-5$15.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
A boy who isn't afraid of monsters is stuck with them as troublesome friends. They make it hard to get out of bed, to finish schoolwork, and to clean up after snack (all familiar kid behaviors). Finally, he introduces them to his younger brother; now they're his problem. Bright watercolor and pen cartoons depict the boisterous characters in this rather thin story.
(3)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
"Tick tock. Ten o'clock. / Tick tock. Messy smocks." This simple patterned text takes readers through each hour of the day as an older woman (Grandma, probably, but the text doesn’t specify) cares for very active twin girls while their mom is at work. Humorous cartoon illustrations depict the nonstop action, their caregiver's gradually dwindling patience, and her well-deserved, end-of-day armchair snooze.
32 pp.
| Simon/Beach Lane
| August, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4424-1321-4$16.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
Using stereotypical pirate-speak, each poem explores a familiar aspect of pirate lore and takes it to a new level of rhythm and rhyme. Final lines are calculated to evoke a chuckle, sometimes veering into the deliciously disgusting. Neubecker's digitally colored India-ink illustrations play well with Florian's verse, which is balanced between light gore and outright silliness.
Reviewer: Robin L. Smith
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2012
64 pp.
| Clarion
| February, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-18221-6$17.99
(1)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
In forty-three poems, Katz gives each of our U.S. presidents their due, with footnotes providing a more complete discussion of the highlighted event or character trait. Neubecker's illustrations emphasize the playful tone without deconstructing the verse. Appended is a list of presidents with their dates in office; birth and death dates; nicknames; a "first" accomplishment of the man or office; and a famous quote.
Reviewer: Betty Carter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2012
32 pp.
| Hyperion/Disney
| July, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-3127-4$16.99
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
"There's a corner in my house that needs some fixing up." During his time-out, a boy imagines glorious wall-spanning assemblages of monsters, trucks, etc. At book's end, readers learn that he has been coloring on the wall--meaning more trouble. Readers may be unfamiliar with the outdated punishment corner, but this spirited book's message about imagination's transcendent power is timeless.
40 pp.
| Hyperion
| June, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-1185-6$16.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
Ellie goes to an air show in a plane flown by her dad. At the show, Ellie flies in a stunt plane--with a pilot named Amelia, of course. Stunning spreads show Williams's text in eye-catching arrangements. Neubecker's remarkable illustrations make wonderful use of perspective, from a closeup of a cockpit's instrument panel to a bird's-eye view of an airfield.
Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2010
32 pp.
| Simon
| July, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4169-7116-0$15.99
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
Accompanied by their human companions, "big dogs and small dogs," "round dogs," "found dogs," and every other kind of canine critter gather at the neighborhood dog wash. There, they are happily sudsed, scrubbed, rinsed, brushed, and styled--until a cat comes along. Braeuner's sprightly, humorous rhymes are well paired with Neubecker's unfussy black-outlined digital illustrations.
32 pp.
| Simon/Beach Lane
| November, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4169-8686-7$16.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
For freshly minted older siblings, this tongue-in-cheek diatribe offers comic relief and sage advice. Sophie Peterman, veteran big sister, doesn't mince words: "Babies are...YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE!" Neubecker's bold and friendly cartoonlike illustrations are a good match for Sophie's strong personality and enhance the humor in her impassioned narrative. Fellow new-sibling survivors will feel a kinship with this tell-it-like-it-is reporter.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2010
40 pp.
| Dial
| July, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8037-3201-8$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
Each of these twenty school-related poems has a silly twist: a boy contracts "computer-virus fever" and has to stay home until summer; the shoe-hating music teacher is described as "easy on the ear, / But she's deadly on the nose"; it's the principal who roots hardest for a snow day. The accompanying digitally colored, black-outlined pictures are funny and appropriately childlike.
32 pp.
| Simon
| October, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4169-5881-9$17.99
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
"I got two dogs, / Fanny and Blue. / Bet you kind of wish / you had two dogs too." In five entertaining verses, the text (sung by Lithgow on the accompanying CD) offers an affectionate description of the narrator's dogs. Neubecker's energetic digital illustrations show the unruly pups getting into all sorts of mischief not mentioned in the text.
40 pp.
| Harcourt
| August, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-15-205365-9$16.00
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
Four little monsters work at a construction site, breaking for lunch, a story, and a nap. With its kid-friendly milieu, creepy cast, and thoughtful nods to a kindergartner's schedule, readers will lap this up. The digitally colored India ink illustrations are feisty and funny, especially the building the monsters create: a majestic, animal-head-bedecked mansion ("The colors all clash. The design is divine!").
32 pp.
| Dutton
| July, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-525-47789-1$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Robert Neubecker.
On Career Day, Kimmel's narrator is practically laughed out of class when she says her dad changes light bulbs--until she explains that he changed a bulb atop the Empire State Building. The particulars of his job (which is a real one) are fascinating, and Neubecker captures the beauty of Manhattan's iconic buildings with illustrations comprised of lines, dashes, and dots.