Emergent-reader Angelina Ballerina fans will find much to love, despite obstacles.
An Angelina Ballerina beginning reader about the importance of hard work.
When Miss Lilly announces dance partners for the Summer Festival Dance, Angelina is disappointed to be paired with Henry. Despite his best efforts and a clear passion for dance, Henry messes up every step in dance class. But with a little encouragement from Miss Lilly, Angelina helps Henry learn the choreography in time for the festival. Their final performance isn’t quite perfect, but that’s OK because they worked hard and had fun. Fans of Angelina Ballerina, introduced in 1983 by author Holabird and illustrator Helen Craig, will blithely follow the pirouetting mouse through another beginning-reader adventure. The single, simple storyline supports developing readers who are, like Angelina and Henry, practicing a new skill. The text, “based on the stories by Katharine Holabird,” according to the title page, is printed in a large, easy-to-read font with just one to two sentences per page, although sometimes the sentences are a bit long for the target audience. Due to the text’s lack of word repetition, newly independent readers may struggle with challenging new words such as gasped, complained, and encouraged. However, kids who already love Angelina will most likely be motivated to continue reading despite the occasional daunting vocabulary word. Matching Craig’s style, Deas’ illustrations support the text in a clear fashion. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Emergent-reader Angelina Ballerina fans will find much to love, despite obstacles. (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5344-8590-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Simon Spotlight
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2021
A lesson that never grows old, enacted with verve by two favorite friends
Gerald the elephant learns a truth familiar to every preschooler—heck, every human: “Waiting is not easy!”
When Piggie cartwheels up to Gerald announcing that she has a surprise for him, Gerald is less than pleased to learn that the “surprise is a surprise.” Gerald pumps Piggie for information (it’s big, it’s pretty, and they can share it), but Piggie holds fast on this basic principle: Gerald will have to wait. Gerald lets out an almighty “GROAN!” Variations on this basic exchange occur throughout the day; Gerald pleads, Piggie insists they must wait; Gerald groans. As the day turns to twilight (signaled by the backgrounds that darken from mauve to gray to charcoal), Gerald gets grumpy. “WE HAVE WASTED THE WHOLE DAY!…And for WHAT!?” Piggie then gestures up to the Milky Way, which an awed Gerald acknowledges “was worth the wait.” Willems relies even more than usual on the slightest of changes in posture, layout and typography, as two waiting figures can’t help but be pretty static. At one point, Piggie assumes the lotus position, infuriating Gerald. Most amusingly, Gerald’s elephantine groans assume weighty physicality in spread-filling speech bubbles that knock Piggie to the ground. And the spectacular, photo-collaged images of the Milky Way that dwarf the two friends makes it clear that it was indeed worth the wait.
A lesson that never grows old, enacted with verve by two favorite friends . (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4231-9957-1
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: Nov. 4, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further.
A young Latine boy finally gets to rescue the dog of his dreams, but training can be a challenge in two languages.
Like many children, José has been dreaming of having a pet of his own, specifically un perro, a dog. Like any good owner, José promptly begins training his new canine companion but soon realizes his rescue mutt, Feliz, knows only words in English. This is a problem because in José’s home everyone speaks both Spanish and English. José and Feliz must rise to the challenge; fortunately, treats and snuggles are great motivators. The narrative uses Spanish words and phrases throughout (“perros blancos,” “¡Yo quiero este!” “¡Sientate!”), usually with English context clues for understanding. This is complex vocabulary for an early reader, and the shifting in phonics from English to Spanish will be challenging for true beginners; the book is best suited for intermediate to advanced readers in dual-language classrooms or homes. Much like Feliz, however, it is sure to find a loving (and bilingual) home. Cheerful illustrations complement the text, helping readers make sense of the narrative. While José and his mother are darker-skinned, his father and sister are lighter-skinned. (This review has been updated for accuracy.)
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further. (glossary of Spanish-English words) (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: April 25, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-52116-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
