PLB 0-531-33194-6 This alphabet guide to North, Central, and South America gives a good indication of the land’s cultural and geographic sweep, from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego, including its 48 countries and dependencies and 11 large language groups. The territory is vast, comfortably accommodating J for “jalape§o” (Mexican) and K is for “kayak” (Inuit), plus ocelots, llamas, empanadas, and igloos. As Spanish is the predominant language in the Americas, there is a strong Latin texture to the book, with Native American and African influences also fairly conspicuous. Each entry is sensibly explained and set in its context as much as possible. The authors don’t attempt encyclopedic coverage, but rather peek into some cultural byways; there is information served up as simple nuggets of insight, as well as facts that are provocative, which may well send readers off on further exploration. Sanchez’s artwork is highly descriptive, with lots of color and an emphasis on clothing and architecture, and infusing dry portions of the text with life. (Picture book. 5-9)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-531-30194-X
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orchard
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999
Miranda’s book counts the monsters gathering at a birthday party, while a simple rhyming text keeps the tally and surveys the action: “Seven starved monsters are licking the dishes./Eight blow out candles and make birthday wishes.” The counting proceeds to ten, then by tens to fifty, then gradually returns to one, which makes the monster’s mother, a purple pin-headed octopus, very happy. The book is surprisingly effective due to Powell’s artwork; the color has texture and density, as if it were poured onto the page, but the real attention-getter is the singularity of every monster attendee. They are highly individual and, therefore, eminently countable. As the numbers start crawling upward, it is both fun and a challenge to try to recognize monsters who have appeared in previous pages, or to attempt to stay focused when counting the swirling or bunched creatures. The story has glints of humor, and in combination with the illustrations is a grand addition to the counting shelf. (Picture book. 3-8)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-201835-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999
Baker (Big Fat Hen, 1994, etc.) engages in more number play, posing ducklings in every combination of groups, e.g., “Splashing as they leap and dive/7 ducklings, 2 plus 5.” Using a great array of streaked and dappled papers, Baker creates a series of leafy collage scenes for the noisy, exuberant ducklings to fill, tucking in an occasional ladybug or other small creature for sharp-eyed pre-readers to spot. Children will regretfully wave goodbye as the ducks fly off in neat formation at the end of this brief, painless introduction to several basic math concepts. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-292858-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999
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