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FRIENDS: SNAKE AND LIZARD

Name: FRIENDS: SNAKE AND LIZARD
Author: Joy Crowley
ISBN: 978-1-877579-01-1

From the Snake and Lizard series , Vol. 2

by Joy Crowley & illustrated by Gavin Bishop ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2011

Though a little dryer than in the first book, this duo's opinionated banter still packs a rib-tickling punch. (Animal...

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Here's to the continuation of one unlikely friendship.

In this New Zealand import, sequel to Snake and Lizard (2008), the reptilian buddies become impromptu advisors to their colorful, desert community (Snake and Lizard, Helper and Helper). The pair's natural instincts and sensitive egos can get in the way of their relationship—it doesn’t help that Snake’s sibling devours lizards for lunch or that Lizard's haughty demands pick apart Snake's poor manners. Lizard's bossy demeanor collides with Snake's vulnerable side (don’t mention her late mother). Though misunderstandings temporarily cause friction, the friends rise above them. “Love is a word for friends to share. Don't you agree?” asks Lizard. Slightly macabre punchlines capture an amusing reality with unexpected charm, such as when Lizard's client (a mute frog) turns into Snake's tantalizing prey: "Snake curled her tail over the bulge in her stomach. He's croaked now, she thought…" The buddies' innovative use of language influences their sense of perspective; “human things” demonstrate their inferiority to the cold-blooded cohorts when seen to shed their “skin” before an outdoor dip, for instance. Rendered in rustic reds and muted tans, Bishop's watercolor-and-ink scenes grace the episodic chapters and add their own layer of humor.

Though a little dryer than in the first book, this duo's opinionated banter still packs a rib-tickling punch. (Animal fantasy. 7-10)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2011

ISBN: 978-1-877579-01-1

Page Count: 126

Publisher: Gecko Press

Review Posted Online: Sept. 2, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2011

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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LITTLE DAYMOND LEARNS TO EARN

by Daymond John ; illustrated by Nicole Miles ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 21, 2023

It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists.

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How to raise money for a coveted poster: put your friends to work!

John, founder of the FUBU fashion line and a Shark Tank venture capitalist, offers a self-referential blueprint for financial success. Having only half of the $10 he needs for a Minka J poster, Daymond forks over $1 to buy a plain T-shirt, paints a picture of the pop star on it, sells it for $5, and uses all of his cash to buy nine more shirts. Then he recruits three friends to decorate them with his design and help sell them for an unspecified amount (from a conveniently free and empty street-fair booth) until they’re gone. The enterprising entrepreneur reimburses himself for the shirts and splits the remaining proceeds, which leaves him with enough for that poster as well as a “brand-new business book,” while his friends express other fiscal strategies: saving their share, spending it all on new art supplies, or donating part and buying a (math) book with the rest. (In a closing summation, the author also suggests investing in stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrency.) Though Miles cranks up the visual energy in her sparsely detailed illustrations by incorporating bright colors and lots of greenbacks, the actual advice feels a bit vague. Daymond is Black; most of the cast are people of color. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists. (Picture book. 7-9)

Pub Date: March 21, 2023

ISBN: 978-0-593-56727-2

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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HORRIBLE HARRY SAYS GOODBYE

From the Horrible Harry series , Vol. 37

by Suzy Kline ; illustrated by Amy Wummer ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 27, 2018

A fitting farewell, still funny, acute, and positive in its view of human nature even in its 37th episode.

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A long-running series reaches its closing chapters.

Having, as Kline notes in her warm valedictory acknowledgements, taken 30 years to get through second and third grade, Harry Spooger is overdue to move on—but not just into fourth grade, it turns out, as his family is moving to another town as soon as the school year ends. The news leaves his best friend, narrator “Dougo,” devastated…particularly as Harry doesn’t seem all that fussed about it. With series fans in mind, the author takes Harry through a sort of last-day-of-school farewell tour. From his desk he pulls a burned hot dog and other items that featured in past episodes, says goodbye to Song Lee and other classmates, and even (for the first time ever) leads Doug and readers into his house and memento-strewn room for further reminiscing. Of course, Harry isn’t as blasé about the move as he pretends, and eyes aren’t exactly dry when he departs. But hardly is he out of sight before Doug is meeting Mohammad, a new neighbor from Syria who (along with further diversifying a cast that began as mostly white but has become increasingly multiethnic over the years) will also be starting fourth grade at summer’s end, and planning a written account of his “horrible” buddy’s exploits. Finished illustrations not seen.

A fitting farewell, still funny, acute, and positive in its view of human nature even in its 37th episode. (Fiction. 7-9)