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The Incredibly Short And Incredibly Happy Life Of Riley
by Colin Thompson and Amy Lissiat
Reviewed by Bill Capossere
The Incredibly Short And Incredibly Happy Life Of Riley was, in some ways, one of my favorite recent picture books. And it was the
Children's Picture Book Council of Australia's Picture Book of the Year. But I'm not so sure it's a children's book. (Maybe children in
Australia are different?)
The book parallels Riley, the incredibly happy and contented rat, and an unnamed man in a bowler hat who represents "people" by always
wanting what he doesn't have or doesn't need, such as a "microwave-video-dvd-sms-internet...", etc. Riley, on the other hand, knows
exactly what he needs, which luckily is just what he wants—the occasional slug and a sharp stick to scratch his back.
The language is at times clearly aimed more at adults than children, as is much of the characterization of people (including that we like
to stick our sharp pointy sticks into other people rather than scratch our backs with them). The illustrations also seem more adult-oriented,
more Crumb than Seuss or Sendak—with folks with hair sprouting all over and busty women whose shoulder straps are falling
down. The same is true for the art references—Munch and Da Vinci make humorous appearances, among other famous artists.
In the end, The Incredibly Short And Incredibly Happy Life Of Riley reminds me in its purpose (certainly not its visuals
or tone or language) of Oh the Places You'll Go, a picture book that by its packaging seems to be for children but by its message is
really for the older adolescent or even the adult. I don't think I'd get Riley for your young child as a read-aloud, but I'd recommend
picking it up for your high schooler, or for yourself.
A Kitten Tale
by Eric Rohmann
Reviewed by Julie M. Prince
Four frisky kittens star in this tale of triumphing over fear. They haven't seen snow and three of them fear the cold, wet stuff. They dread the day it
falls from the sky. But, one kitten can't wait. This, of course, is the same little kitten who is fearless year-round. He chases frogs and rolls in the
fall leaves. He's looking forward to exploring the snow.
Cat-like curiosity keeps readers turning the page as illustrations focus on adorable kitty activities. What will the fourth little kitten do next?
Rohmann is a Caldecott honor winning illustrator, and his talent is on display in this gorgeous, colorful book.
The accompanying text is simple enough for young readers to master, and they'll gain confidence as they read about the four little kittens and their
adventure into the unknown.
Pick this one up knowing your young reader will enjoy it!
The Silk Princess
by Charles Santore
Reviewed by Julie M. Prince
The Silk Princess is a beautifully illustrated folk tale based on the discovery of silk in China.
When the little daughter of China's grand emperor spots a silkworm cocoon that's fallen into her mother's hot tea, she's amazed to see a long, silken
thread unravel from it.
Determined to see just how far the thread will stretch, she gives one end to her mother and takes off with the other. What starts off a simple walk through
the palace gardens soon becomes an exciting adventure. The princess meets a giant spider, a dragon, and a mysterious weaver who lives high at the top of a
mountain.
One little girl's big journey changes an entire nation, as she brings a secret back to her royal family.
Strong narrative blends flawlessly with unique and detailed illustrations, both from award-winning Charles Santore.
This one will make a fantastic bedtime story for kids who crave adventures and mystical stories of far-away lands and creatures. So really, kids of all
ages, everywhere!
Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly
by Alan Madison, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Reviewed by Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes
Most younger siblings will tell you: an older brother or sister can be a hard act to follow. It never fails—big bro or sis make all the right
choices, get the best grades, and generally make it impossible for anyone to top them. Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly tells the story of this
familiar family struggle with honesty and humor.
Velma is the youngest of three Gratch sisters, and is desperate to make her mark. The accomplishments of Fiona and Frieda read like a how-to guide for
hogging the spotlight: you've got your good singers, good athletes, and good spellers. Velma feels the pressure and starts looking for attention in all
the wrong ways. But it is her love of science and, specifically, butterflies that allow Velma to make a name for herself.
Readers with older siblings will identify with Velma's emotions as she finds her own course. A butterfly lifecycle tie-in adds another dimension, making
the story useful for teaching as well. Velma Gratch should have no problem standing out.
Very Hairy Bear
by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Matt Phelan
Reviewed by Charlotte Taylor, Charlotte's Library
"Deep in the green gorgeous wood
lives a boulder-big bear
with shaggy, raggy, brownbear hair
everywhere...
except on his no-hair nose."
So begins the tale of a very hairy bear, a book that I fell absolutely in love with. The story is simple, following the hairy bear through the year—he
fishes for salmon, hunts for honey, stuffs himself with berries in summer and acorns in fall, and finally curls up in his cave for winter. But the words
are an utter pleasure to read aloud. They have a rhythmic cadence to them that is sonorously bear-like (lots of long vowels—try reading the quote
above), lightened by the refrain "except for his no-hair nose!" repeated throughout the story. His no-hair nose doesn't mind getting wet, doesn't care
about stings, or turning blue from berry juice, but when winter comes, and "old big as a boulder bear crawls deep into his cave" a no-hair nose does get
cold...
The softly colored pencil and pastel pictures are also a delight—whimsically naturalistic, sharing space with the words rather than competing with
them. They are funny and even sweet without being "cute" in the cloying sense of the word; the animals are slightly exaggerated, but not caricatures.
Judging from the reaction this book is getting from my children, aged 4 and 7, Very Hairy Bear is a joy to listen too as well. My 7 year old
laughs and enjoys it, but my 4 year old loves it, and after numerous re-reads has the words memorized, and delights in reciting it with me, and studying
the pictures with happy interest and appreciation each time through. I'm sure younger children would enjoy it equally well.
This is a good book for parents who like to improve each shining hour—it is, in essence, non-fiction, and teaches the basic facts of bear life and
what animals do in winter. And it's also a great bedtime story. Here's how it ends:
So,
he puts his big warm
bearpaws
his shaggy, raggy,
very hairy
bearpaws
on top of his nose,
and goes
to sleep.
When Randolph Turned Rotten
by Charise Mericie Harper
Reviewed by Bill Capossere
Randolph (a beaver) and Ivy (a goose) are best friends who spend their days and nights together. Until Ivy gets an invitation to an
"all-girl sleepover" for her cousin's birthday. That's when Randolph turns "rotten." Eaten up by jealousy and sadness/anger at being left
alone, he cooks up a plot to sabotage Ivy's time at the party. But as they say—the best-laid plans of beavers...
While Randolph is starting to miss Ivy and feel guilty about his actions, Ivy is having
the time of her life at the party, all thanks (unintentionally) to Randolph. By the end, the two are back to being best friends, and
Randolph has learned some lessons about true friendship.
Randolph's strength is its sense of whimsy and humor, especially in the details of how Randolph's sinister plan to spoil Ivy's fun
unexpectedly turns out to save the party. The cartoonish illustrations are not particularly aesthetic, but are a odd mesh
with the tone. Children
will certainly recognize themselves in Randolph's moments of jealousy and pettiness and Harper is to be commended for taking the
risk of making Randolph truly rotten and unlikable in those moments.
Books Reviewed:
The Incredibly Short And Incredibly Happy Life Of Riley, by Colin Thompson and Amy Lissiat.
Kane/Miller,
2007. ISBN: 1-9336-0550-2.
A Kitten Tale, by Eric Rohmann. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2008. ISBN: 0-5177-0915-5.
The Silk Princess, by Charles Santore. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2007.
ISBN: 0-3758-3664-0.
Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly, by Alan Madison and Kevin Hawkes. Schwartz & Wade,
2007.
ISBN: 0-3758-3597-0.
Very Hairy Bear by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Matt Phelan. Harcourt, 2007.
ISBN: 0-1521-6568-1.
When Randolph Turned Rotten, by Charise Mericie Harper. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2007.
ISBN: 0-3758-4071-0.
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