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THE LITTLE RED HEN (MAKES A PIZZA)

Name: THE LITTLE RED HEN (MAKES A PIZZA)
Author: Philemon Sturges
ISBN: 0-525-45953-7

adapted by Philemon Sturges ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1999

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In the best refashioning of a classic folktale since Eugene Trivizas’s Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig (1993), Sturges hilariously extends and modernizes the original. Little Red Hen can’t even begin to satisfy her sudden yen for pizza until she’s visited the hardware store (for a pan), the supermarket, and the deli (for mozzarella and a few other ingredients). Does she get any help with her many errands and hard work? “Not I.” “Not I.” “Not I.” Walrod’s stunningly inventive paper collages will draw gasps and chortles with every turn of the page; each carton, label, cold cut and anchovy is limned with crisp precision, as are the hen’s unhelpful neighbors—a pop-eyed dog, a duck in a swimsuit, and a blue hep cat with a beret and saxophone. Since Hen’s “lovely little pizza” comes out of the oven lovely, but not little, she invites her friends in, and after the feast, who will help with the dirty dishes? “I will.” “I will.” “I will.”(Picture book/folklore. 5-7)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-525-45953-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
by Philemon Sturges & illustrated by Ashley Wolff

- BOOK REVIEW
HOW DO YOU MAKE A BABY SMILE?
by Philemon Sturges & illustrated by Bridget Strevens-Marzo

- BOOK REVIEW
I LOVE TOOLS!
by Philemon Sturges & illustrated by Shari Halpern

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QUACK AND COUNT

by Keith Baker & illustrated by Keith Baker ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1999

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

- BOOK REVIEW
LMNO PEA-QUEL
by Keith Baker ; illustrated by Keith Baker

- BOOK REVIEW
HAP-PEA ALL YEAR
by Keith Baker ; illustrated by Keith Baker

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE GREEN PEAS
by Keith Baker ; illustrated by Keith Baker

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BIG BROWN BEAR

by David McPhail & illustrated by David McPhail ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1999

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Big Brown Bear, with a natty bowler hat, is all set to paint the house in this cheerful Level 1 reader. Every page presents a full-color scene and a few words of easily predicted, often rhyming text: “Bear is big. Bear is brown. Bear goes up. He comes down.” Big Bear climbs a ladder with a pail of blue paint, while nearby, Little Bear plays with a ball and bat—“Oh no! Little Bear! Do not do that!” These are simple words, but sometimes challenging ones, e.g., there are two uses of up, as in climbing the ladder and washing up. The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations provide nearly ideal context, while also amplifying the story. The format is attractive and practical, featuring large type on a white background that is placed for easy reading. Beginning readers will be amused by the gentle humor in the book, and feel accomplished to have tackled it themselves. (Picture book. 5-7)