THERE WAS AN OLD GIANT WHO SWALLOWED A CLOCK

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THERE WAS AN OLD GIANT WHO SWALLOWED A CLOCK

Name: THERE WAS AN OLD GIANT WHO SWALLOWED A CLOCK
Author: Becky Davies
ISBN: 978-1-68010-076-1

by Becky Davies ; illustrated by Elina Ellis ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2018

Great fun.

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And not a small clock, either!

Apparently, this giant is related to that old lady who swallowed a fly. He is also a clock aficionado, or perhaps a clock repairman, as he’s surrounded by them. In any event, the white giant “had such a shock when he swallowed that clock!” After this, he swallows his knitting, a moth that he finds in his closet, some honey, even a bear. (“He swallowed the bear to eat up the honey.”) Next, he swallows a net “to catch the bear.” He tries a boat to “pull in the net.” Then he swallows the sea to “wash down the boat,” and finally tries swallowing the moon. Why? To “soak up the sea. / Not very clever—I’m sure you’ll agree!” Ingenious book design features a die-cut hole in the right-hand page, showing the clock that he has swallowed. The left-hand page features that first verse. Then when readers turn the pages, the hole on the left-hand page repeats that first verse in smaller type, while through the increasingly large holes on the right-hand pages, readers see the swallowed item(s). By the end, the hole is large, the verse is long, and the giant’s stomach sure to succumb to indigestion. Ellis’ pictures are refreshingly kooky, filled with various cats, mice, and other small critters who view the goings-on with some interest. Davies wisely sticks to the meter of her inspiration, and caregivers will likely sing that tune as they share the book.

Great fun. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: March 1, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-68010-076-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Tiger Tales

Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2018

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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HOW TO MAKE A BOOK
by Becky Davies ; illustrated by Patricia Hu

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CITIES OF THE WORLD
by Becky Davies ; illustrated by Josie Portillo

- BOOK REVIEW
I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ALL THE STARS
by Becky Davies ; illustrated by Dana Brown

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CINDERELLA

From the Once Upon a World series

by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Sandra Equihua ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 2016

A nice but not requisite purchase.

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A retelling of the classic fairy tale in board-book format and with a Mexican setting.

Though simplified for a younger audience, the text still relates the well-known tale: mean-spirited stepmother, spoiled stepsisters, overworked Cinderella, fairy godmother, glass slipper, charming prince, and, of course, happily-ever-after. What gives this book its flavor is the artwork. Within its Mexican setting, the characters are olive-skinned and dark-haired. Cultural references abound, as when a messenger comes carrying a banner announcing a “FIESTA” in beautiful papel picado. Cinderella is the picture of beauty, with her hair up in ribbons and flowers and her typically Mexican many-layered white dress. The companion volume, Snow White, set in Japan and illustrated by Misa Saburi, follows the same format. The simplified text tells the story of the beautiful princess sent to the forest by her wicked stepmother to be “done away with,” the dwarves that take her in, and, eventually, the happily-ever-after ending. Here too, what gives the book its flavor is the artwork. The characters wear traditional clothing, and the dwarves’ house has the requisite shoji screens, tatami mats and cherry blossoms in the garden. The puzzling question is, why the board-book presentation? Though the text is simplified, it’s still beyond the board-book audience, and the illustrations deserve full-size books.

A nice but not requisite purchase. (Board book/fairy tale. 3-5)

Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-4814-7915-8

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
THE LITTLE MERMAID
adapted by Hannah Eliot ; illustrated by Nivea Ortiz

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA
by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova

- BOOK REVIEW
RAPUNZEL
by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA
by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova

- BOOK REVIEW
RAPUNZEL
by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan

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PICK A PERFECT EGG

by Patricia Toht ; illustrated by Jarvis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 14, 2023

Egg-stra special.

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The creators of Pick a Pine Tree (2017) and Pick a Pumpkin (2019) cover each step of a popular Easter tradition.

The first stop for a light-skinned caregiver and child is the farm. Peering into the henhouse, they spot an egg (reminding readers that eggs don’t originate at the grocery store). More eggs are collected throughout the spring countryside and brought home, ready to hard boil. While the eggs are cooling, it’s time to prepare the dye! The lively text highlights natural methods first (“Stew some plants / to make a brew: / beets turn eggs / a rosy hue. / Spinach? Green! / Berries? Blue! / Try some herbs / or spices, too”) but also gives a nod to store-bought kits. After a full day of egg decorating, the youngster wakes up the next morning for a festive neighborhood egg hunt. Happily, treats found inside plastic eggs are not limited to sugar only; they include secret notes, tiny toys, and coins, too. (The child adds their dyed eggs to this bounty.) Sprays of bright greens, a shining sun, and dotted buds on trees as well as pastel bunting and fuzzy bunny ears and flower crowns on little ones bring a light, airy lift to this joyful community gathering. The children involved in the egg hunt are diverse in skin tone. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Egg-stra special. (Picture book. 3-6)