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32 pp.
| Penguin/Paulsen
| November, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-54666-2$17.99
(4)
K-3
Plum (the shaggy black dog from Love Is My Favorite Thing) instantly dislikes Binky. Not only is Binky a cat, but he threatens Plum's position as her humans' "best one and only." Plum's jealousy veers toward mean-spiritedness until the didactic change-of-heart conclusion. Clark's colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations help to lighten the mood.
32 pp.
| Kane/Miller
| March, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-61067-366-2$12.99
(3)
K-3
Bear George finds a book in the woods and seeks someone in a nearby village to teach him how to read. His sudden appearance frightens everyone but young Clementine. The two become fast friends and reading buddies. This story features a strong central character and a gentle but pointed exploration of the value of thinking differently. The warm illustrations are filled with personality.
32 pp.
| Penguin/Paulsen
| November, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-17503-9$16.99
(4)
K-3
Plum loves her doggy bed, her human family, and--unfortunately for her humans--tug-of-war and the pond in the park. The pooch stresses, however: "LOVE IS MY VERY FAVORITE THING!" When Plum misbehaves, she wonders whether anyone will still love her. Humorous watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations and energetic doggy narration help offset the story's didactic, underwhelming conclusion.
40 pp.
| Candlewick
| February, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-4680-6$14.99
(3)
K-3
This lush large-format book offers a skilled and humorous retelling of the familiar tale. Almost every surface in the bears' house is covered with a pattern: leaves, flowers, checks, and more. The decorative designs create an inviting setting for the mischief of the opinionated Goldilocks, who, for example, delivers this criticism of Mommy Bear's bed: "It's so stiflingly smotheringly, suffocatingly soft!"
(2)
K-3
It's Croc's birthday, and Melrose has a special gift in mind--fresh fish for breakfast at their villa. He rows out to sea and is caught in a storm. Worried Croc marshals the authorities and gets in on the dramatic rescue. The story has an understated, quiet, old-timey quality. Clark's watercolors are homey and detailed, with lots of changeable sea green.
Reviewer: Robin L. Smith
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2008
32 pp.
| Eerdmans
| January, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8028-5314-1$17.00
(4)
K-3
A gentle dog named Piper runs away from his cruel master. After making his way to the city, Piper saves a woman from being hit by a car, and she subsequently adopts him. The subdued watercolor and crayon illustrations are an appropriate accompaniment to this sentimental, melancholy (until the end, when the woman assures: "Now we can both look after each other") story.
(3)
K-3
Diminutive crocodile Croc and sophisticated city dog Melrose find themselves alone in the city on Christmas Eve. Their lonely stories proceed in parallel, until the two serendipitously collide at an ice-skating rink. The text's melancholy language is balanced by the muted illustrations on creamy paper, each a painstakingly composed scene, thoughtfully designed and rich with seasonal motifs.
(2)
PS
When Arthur's elderly dog Daisy dies, she sends dreams to show him how happy she is in heaven. When the time is right she sends him a dream of a new puppy, which Arthur does get. The emotional content of this gentle story, illustrated in soft, cheerful pastels, is just right, as is the comforting and uplifting tone.
24 pp.
| Charlesbridge
| July, 2003
|
TradeISBN 1-57091-574-1$$9.95
(4)
PS
In Counting, monkey Mimi and her grandmother spend the day counting objects from one through ten. In Opposites, Mimi uses opposites to describe her baby brother's day ("He gets DIRTY all DAY, / but he gets CLEAN at NIGHT"). There's nothing original here, but Clark's domesticated primates, who live in the tropics in houses filled with plants and floral motifs, are endearing. [Review covers these titles: Mimi's Book of Counting and Mimi's Book of Opposites.]
24 pp.
| Charlesbridge
| July, 2003
|
TradeISBN 1-57091-573-3$$9.95
(4)
PS
In Clark's appealingly repetitive text and joyful spring-like colors, Lily impresses her toy kangaroo with her newfound ability to amuse herself when everyone in her family is too busy to play. When a teddy bear gets left out in the rain, Blue Kangaroo takes action himself, mirroring Lily's resourcefulness and reinforcing what Lily already believes: that toys have lives--and minds--of their own.
32 pp.
| McElderry
| February, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-689-84296-1$$16.95
(3)
PS
Numerous animals join a boy and his dog--"hopping and skipping" and "bumping and thumping"--in a rousing game of follow the leader. Suddenly, a tiger demands to join the game. Thinking quickly, the boy lets him be the leader. The delightful, color-saturated illustrations show the animals sneaking away, one by one, until finally the boy slips safely into his house.
32 pp.
| Doubleday
| May, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-385-74635-0$$15.95
|
LibraryISBN 0-385-90866-0$$17.99
(2)
PS
In Clark's appealingly repetitive text and joyful spring-like colors, Lily impresses her toy kangaroo with her newfound ability to amuse herself when everyone in her family is too busy to play. When a teddy bear gets left out in the rain, Blue Kangaroo takes action himself, mirroring Lily's resourcefulness and reinforcing what Lily already believes: that toys have lives--and minds--of their own.
(3)
K-3
Each time Lily gets in trouble for leaving the water running or teasing her little brother, she blames her stuffed animal, Blue Kangaroo. Finally, Lily's mother puts the toy away. During the night Blue Kangaroo writes a note of apology to Lily's mother, who thinks it's from Lily, even though this time Lily accurately gives Blue Kangaroo the credit. Energetic illustrations help create the enjoyable blending of reality and fantasy.
(2)
PS
Momo, a little monkey growing up in an affectionate family, wishes that no one had ever invented kissing. When the new baby arrives, Momo tries hard to protect his little brother from the smooching onslaught. But when his relatives hand the baby over to him, and the baby responds to his big-brotherly overtures, Momo can't help himself. Clark's believably child-centered perspective never wavers.
32 pp.
| Doubleday
| January, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-385-32797-8$$15.95
(3)
PS
In spite of her love for her stuffed animal, Lily frequently loses him. When she announces they'll be going to the seashore the next day, Blue Kangaroo takes matters into his own hands to insure that Lily won't lose him again. Appealing watercolor illustrations provide clues to Blue Kangaroo's whereabouts when Lily forgets him. This story is sure to strike a chord with many youngsters.
32 pp.
| Doubleday
| October, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-385-32630-0$$15.95
(3)
K-3
Resentful of the limits his mother sets, Billy takes a fantasy trip to a land where there are no limits--"where there is more of everything." There, he plays and eats until--predictably--he has finally had enough. Clark uses language well and provides an amusing reversal of mother-child roles at the end. Bright colors and curving shapes help depict Billy's imaginary land.
32 pp.
| Doubleday
| January, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-385-32638-6$$15.95
(3)
K-3
After Lily's beloved Blue Kangaroo gets displaced by new plush animals, he sadly walks down the hall to the baby's crib. But Lily then realizes Blue Kangaroo is the one she loves best, and a happy compromise is found. Watercolors in cheerful lollipop tones show pleasantly cluttered domestic scenes in a tale of loyalty that also subtly explores sibling relations.