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RHYMING DUST BUNNIES

Name: RHYMING DUST BUNNIES
Author: Jan Thomas
ISBN: 978-1-4169-7976-0

by Jan Thomas and illustrated by Jan Thomas ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 6, 2009

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This dynamic quartet of dust bunnies, Ed, Ned, Ted and Bob, have quite the flair for rhyming words—except for anxious Bob, who is wisely more concerned about their perilous surroundings. In response to each rhyme, Bob dramatically declares that their enemy draws near: “ ‘rug’ / ‘hug’ / ‘mug’ / ‘LOOK OUT!’ ” Unfortunately, each of Bob’s pleas falls on deaf bunnies’ ears. Ned obliviously responds, “Bob, no… ‘LOOK OUT! HERE COMES A BIG SCARY MONSTER WITH A BROOM!’ does not rhyme with ANYTHING, really.” When the inevitable occurs, with a dramatic “Thwptt,” the threesome finally listens to the rational hero, providing a powerful punch line. Thomas’s digital illustrations, stark against her solid, colorful backgrounds, successfully accentuate the witty text. The shaggy dust bunnies are boldly contrasted, as their colors—green, purple, red and blue—extend past the thick lines into the ever-so-slightly-less-red background. With their wide noses, long ears, four-fingered paws and buck teeth, these fuzzy characters are a riot. Put away your cleaning supplies for a little messy fun. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Jan. 6, 2009

ISBN: 978-1-4169-7976-0

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2008

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

- BOOK REVIEW
PROBLEM SOLVED!
by Jan Thomas ; illustrated by Jan Thomas

- BOOK REVIEW
EVEN ROBOTS CAN BE THANKFUL!
by Jan Thomas ; illustrated by Jan Thomas

- BOOK REVIEW
EVEN ROBOTS AREN'T PERFECT!
by Jan Thomas ; illustrated by Jan Thomas

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DIGGERSAURS

by Michael Whaite ; illustrated by Michael Whaite ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 2, 2019

Count on construction die-hards falling in love, but discerning readers would be wise to look elsewhere for their...

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Less ambitious than Chris Gall’s widely known Dinotrux (2009) and sequels, this British import systematically relegates each dinosaur/construction-equipment hybrid to its most logical job.

The title figures are introduced as bigger than both diggers and dinosaurs, and rhyming text and two construction-helmeted kids show just what these creatures are capable of. Each diggersaur has a specific job to do and a distinct sound effect. The dozersaurus moves rocks with a “SCRAAAAPE!!!” while the rollersaurus flattens lumps with a cheery “TOOT TOOT!!” Each diggersaur is numbered, with 12 in all, allowing this to be a counting book on the sly. As the diggersaurs (not all of which dig) perform jobs that regular construction equipment can do, albeit on a larger scale, there is no particular reason why any of them should have dinosaurlike looks other than just ’cause. Peppy computer art tries valiantly to attract attention away from the singularly unoriginal text. “Diggersaurs dig with bites so BIG, / each SCOOP creates a crater. // They’re TOUGH and STRONG / with necks so long— / they’re super EXCAVATORS!” Far more interesting are the two human characters, a white girl and a black boy, that flit about the pictures offering commentary and action. Much of the fun of the book can be found in trying to spot them on every two-page spread.

Count on construction die-hards falling in love, but discerning readers would be wise to look elsewhere for their dino/construction kicks. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: April 2, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-9848-4779-9

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: Jan. 14, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S DINOSAURS & PREHISTORIC CREATURES | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
DIGGERSAURS MISSION TO MARS
by Michael Whaite ; illustrated by Michael Whaite

- BOOK REVIEW
DIGGERSAURS EXPLORE
by Michael Whaite ; illustrated by Michael Whaite

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TEN LITTLE FISH

by Audrey Wood & illustrated by Bruce Wood ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2004

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This charming, colorful counting tale of ten little fish runs full-circle. Although the light verse opens and closes with ten fish swimming in a line, page-by-page the line grows shorter as the number of fish diminishes one-by-one. One fish dives down, one gets lost, one hides, and another takes a nap until a single fish remains. Then along comes another fish to form a couple and suddenly a new family of little fish emerges to begin all over. Slick, digitally-created images of brilliant marine flora and fauna give an illusion of underwater depth and silence enhancing the verse’s numerical and theatrical progression. The holistic story bubbles with life’s endless cycle. (Picture book. 3-5)