Bartholomew, the pudgy butterscotch bear, rejoins his friends Little Black Kitten and George in this colorful counting story. Bartholomew seems to have done away with his favorite word, “Nah,” in favor of his apple tree and all that can be done with it. Not least of all counting the red apples. As the green apples on his tree ripen one by one to candy-apple red, the reader counts them. On the far left of each spread, a bright color band pictures the plucked apples, and represents them with the appropriate numeral and the number spelled out. The rest of the spread is filled with Bartholomew and his two friends involved in activities with the majestic tree. As the uncomplicated story unfolds, readers see that, among other things, “He loves swinging from its branches,” and hiding beneath its fallen leaves. When Little Black Kitten gets stuck high in the apple tree, the bigger bear, George, joins Bartholomew in the rescue. His friends are also willing to lend a hand when it comes to using those ten sweet apples in the ultimate delicious way. In a watercolor palate ranging from juicy bright to powder soft and outlined in crayon-textured black, Miller’s (In a Minute!, 2001, etc.) illustrations are picture-perfect for youngsters. The text is bold and simple, and the format is varied so to appeal to any learning style, making counting almost effortless. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2002
ISBN: 0-7636-1901-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2002
Count on construction die-hards falling in love, but discerning readers would be wise to look elsewhere for their...
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-439-63569-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Blue Sky/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2004
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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