Reviews
The More the Merrier
In this fanciful romp of cartoon creatures in a whimsical forest setting with fantasy colors, boldly painted mixed-media joins a light-filled painted background, while small hidden creatures peek out to watch along forest paths. . . . perfectly suited to younger readers or an interactive story time where everyone is encouraged to join in the fun.
—School Library Journal (starred review)
The infectious beat of the rhyming text and repetition of phrases like, "I'm not like you, / So I'll just do what I can do," sets up an energetic, predictable pattern ideal for reading aloud. Set against a bucolic, impressionistic woodland background, the loosely rendered, amusing, dynamic illustrations echo this pattern as the creatures (despite the seeming limitations of their various physiques) perform signature interpretive dances with inspired, fluid, free-spirited abandon across double-page spreads until they all collapse in a merry heap. Joyous, upbeat, toe-tapping, hip-swinging, high-stepping fun.
—Kirkus Reviews
This simply told tale of the very best of friends will be understood and enjoyed by the toddler set. A good choice where this series is popular.
—School Library Journal
The simple mixed-media illustrations keep the focus on the warm friendship amid the cool whites and light blues of a winter day...Young children in wintry climes will certainly see their own snow-day play reflected here.
—Kirkus Reviews
Even ghouls encounter Halloween wardrobe malfunctions. Soon after an eager skeleton named Skelly decides a ghost is the perfect Halloween costume, his bedsheet gets caught in a momentary updraft and he crashes to the ground in pieces….Generously scaled cartooning and sweet-natured humor make this title ideal for inaugural Halloween adventures.
—Publishers Weekly
Peep and Ducky Rainy Day
Totally in tune with toddlers, this snappy read-aloud gets it right.
-Kirkus Starred Review
Once again, these two buddies provide a concise, realistic portrait of the ups, downs, and compromises inherent to friendship.
—Publishers Weekly
This makes a perfect read-aloud for story hours or lapsits, especially for preschoolers just beginning to navigate friendship interactions.
—Booklist Online
Children will have fun looking at the pictures and the text works well as a one-on-one read or as a selection for a rain-themed storytime.
—School Library Journal
The couplets make for easy reading, their sing-song quality lending them to large crowds or one-on-one interactions with equal ease. Likewise, the buoyant mixed-media art neatly complements the up-tempo tone. Cute without being cloying, these pudgy feathered stand-ins for child readers are bound to entice small listeners to clamor "Again" when the story's done.
—Kirkus Reviews
This picture book, starring big yellow Ducky and small blue Peep, is tailor-made for toddlers...The text is bouncy and the mixed-media art, rendered in a cheerful palette, is muted in the background, while the foreground pops with heavily outlined characters.
—Booklist
In the mixed-media illustrations, the two characters are consistent in size and color, and backgrounds show a pleasant park setting.
—School Library Journal
The rhymed verse has a playfulness that echoes the birds' light rambunctiousness...It's a quiet but well-observed portrait of a budding friendship.
—Publishers Weekly
"The youngest bear lovers will appreciate Martin's simple rhyming lines, accompanied by attractive pastel scenes of bear life." —The New York Times Book Review
"The terse, evocative lines of verse give structure to this lovely picture book, which is illustrated with nicely textured, beautifully composed oil paintings. Using light and shadow effectively, the artwork captures the beauty of the forest in all seasons . . . this handsome picture book is highly recommended for reading aloud." —Booklist
"Gorgeous oil paintings convey the changing cycles of the seasons as seen through the eyes of a black bear and her cubs." —School Library Journal
"Johnson and Fancher's oil-painted bears are stunningly realistic, yet they also have a cozy fuzziness, wrapped in dark brown warmth." —Kirkus Reviews
"The text is both informative and inviting. Johnson and Fancher's expansive oil paintings are softly textured, with underbrush and bear fur coats thick and tactile; the landscapes are detailed and attractive in their own right (most notably when the focus-pulling bears are back underground and out of sight), and the bear cubs are simultaneously realistic and adorable. The result is an effective entry-level natural history lesson that's a great transition for lovers of fictional picture-book bears." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Manders' expressive animals, from slimy slugs to a mischievous raccoon shaking his booty, are the true life of this party.
—Kirkus Reviews
The full-throttle characterizations and exuberant physicality are reminiscent of vintage animation, while the ever-shifting perspectives give the action a gleefully frenetic, cinematic feel. Thanks to Manders, these critters really are the very picture of party-hearty.
—Publishers Weekly
Manders's comical watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations feature a host of cheerful, wide-eyed creatures, from squirrels and possums to mice and slugs. The rhyming text offers opportunities for listener participation.
—School Library Journal
Little Bunny and the Magic Christmas Tree
A bunny learns about self-acceptance and belonging in this Christmas Eve fantasy...The promise of Christmas Eve magic and dramatic tree-bough adventures will draw readers in.
—Publishers Weekly
The book celebrates the importance of family mealtime, but also provides an example of an amiable community where sugar, flour and harmony are all mixed together with love.
-Publishers Weekly
In this rhythmic romp, cartoon animals and their young explore the various ways in which their bodies can move and invite youngsters to play along. Each bright, candy-colored spread features a family of animals chanting a perky rhyme about a particular body part and motion. For instance, the monkeys declare: "We've got hands, and you do too./We can clap them./Can you?" Children will eagerly follow along as elephants pull on their ears, giraffes stretch their necks, zebras kick their feet, leopards close their eyes, and hippos open their mouths. Finally, all of the creatures join together to look at their bellybuttons, and a ticklefest leads to giggles all around. Martin's vivacious verse and Cecil's happily goofy oil illustrations are perfectly matched. This book will be a hit at storytimes as well as a favorite with children just beginning to read. – School Library Journal
Terrific narrative artwork as droll as the text (best scene: When father and son, sitting at the end of the dock, slump against one another in a doze during the lazy afternoon) highlights a vegetarian in the making.
-Kirkus Reviews
Comical cartoon illustrations in watercolor and ink by the popular creator of the "Martha Speaks" series bring out the mischievous personalities of this endearing family of pigs.
-School Library Journal