A potentially humorous Halloween caper is left stranded in the author’s latest effort. The story starts with the formidable Miss Irma Birmbaum—an unsinkable retro presence as drawn by Passen (Uncle’s New Suit, 1992, etc.)—giving her class of students the business: “No talking! Pass your homework assignments forward. Open your books to page 24. Read!” It so happened to be Halloween, but did that stop Miss Birmbaum from ladling on the homework? Forget about it. After the kids shuffle off with their math and history and spelling assignments, Miss Birmbaum stays behind to correct tests, and then heads for home. Taking a detour, she has a close encounter with a spaceship, which results in her being morphed into a fifty-foot teacher. Heading back to town, she runs into her students, who are out trick-or-treating. “Do your parents know you’re wandering about at this unearthly hour? I'm taking you all to the principal.” She arrives at the principal’s house and hands the kids over, also noting that they haven’t done their homework. But the principal knows how to put a 50-foot teacher in her place: “Good grief, woman! Who gives homework on Halloween? Don't you remember what it was like to be a child?” Presto, Miss Birmbaum remembers and becomes sweet as candy herself. Next day, too. That's pretty hard to swallow, as excuses go, and deeply unsatisfying, like driving in a car that runs out of gas: the sudden stillness is disconcerting. (Picture book. 5-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-8050-6100-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2000
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A charming illustration of childhood memories during the holiday season.
A colorful wintry tale ushers in Chinese New Year over two weeks.
In this picture book, the narrator recounts with nostalgia an observance of the traditional New Year in rural northern China. The snow-covered village bustles with activity as folks venture out to greet relatives and friends. “On the third day, uncles started giving LANTERNS” refers to an old custom in provincial Shaanxi—especially among maternal uncles. Palpable and immediate are Zhao Di’s eager anticipation and the care with which she “walk[s] through the snow with her lantern in case she slipped or the candle blew out in the wind.” Simple yet vivid close-ups depict Zhao Di and her friends, bundled head to toe and comparing lantern designs—accordion, watermelon, etc.—while braving the cold and a bunch of rowdy boys. All too soon, the 15th day arrives, signaling the end of the New Year celebrations. In a pivotal spread that shows Zhao Di sitting with her dog and chickens, readers are granted an interior view of the architecture and layout of a rustic farmhouse. In addition, the villagers’ various clothing styles, headdresses, and skin tones suggest the region’s diverse ethnicities and socio-economic landscapes. As the story concludes with the obligatory smashing and burning of the lanterns, Zhao Di comforts herself with the hopeful thought of lighting new lanterns next year.
A charming illustration of childhood memories during the holiday season. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Dec. 7, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5420-2984-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2021
The leaves have changed, Thanksgiving nears—and the canny turkeys of Squawk Valley have decamped, leaving local residents to face the prospect of a birdless holiday. What to do? They decide to lure a bird back by appealing to its vanity, placing a want ad for a model to help sculptors creating turkey art, then “inviting” the bird to dinner. The ploy works, too, for out of the woods struts plump and perky Pete to take on the job. Shelly debuts with brightly hued cartoon scenes featuring pop-eyed country folk and deceptively silly-looking gobblers. Pete may be vain, but he hasn’t lost the wiliness of his wild ancestors; when the townsfolk come for him, he hides amidst a flock of sculpted gobblers—“There were turkeys made of spuds, / there were turkeys made of rope. / There were turkeys made of paper, / there were turkeys made of soap. / The room was full of turkeys / in a wall to wall collage. / For a clever bird like Pete / it was perfect camouflage.” He makes his escape, and is last seen lounging on a turkey-filled tropical beach as the disappointed Squawk Valleyites gather round the table for a main course of . . . shredded wheat. Good for a few giggles. (Picture book. 6-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2001
ISBN: 1-890817-91-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2001
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