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40 pp.
| Random
| September, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-101-93232-2$17.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-101-93233-9$20.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-101-93234-6
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ben Mantle.
William dreams of being a famous chef in his fairy-tale realm. After several failed attempts, he finds a box of raw materials and, misunderstanding their purpose, cooks up story elements to humorous effect (e.g., Cinderella's pumpkin becomes "Pumpkin Pie with Cream and Candied Pecans"). It's a delicious twist on well-known tales, stuffed with cooking vocabulary and dynamic illustrations and topped off with happily-ever-afters for everyone.
32 pp.
| Candlewick
| October, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-9573-6$16.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Ben Mantle.
Little Train reluctantly goes out by himself (except for a hidden mouse companion) and chugs past diverse landscapes and fauna before feeling lonely and returning home. The popular subject matter and onomatopoeia add appeal, but the familiar home-away-home arc falters; confusing matters, Little Train travels left to right throughout the pictures until he arrives at home facing the opposite direction. The digitally manipulated pastel illustrations evoke Thomas the Tank Engine.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| October, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-7173-6$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ben Mantle.
Rudy the reindeer eats Santa's unwanted serving of Brussels sprouts at Christmas Eve dinner before setting off around the world, good-naturedly passing gas and cracking up the rest of the reindeer. The illustrations and rhyming text are humorous enough, though American kids won't know much of the British slang (pump, trump, windy pop, air poop) contained in this import.
32 pp.
| Chronicle
| August, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4521-2458-2$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ben Mantle.
Bobby's obsession with sharks prompts a daring birthday plan. "Step 1: Convince parents. Step 2: Get shark." When they present a puppy instead, Bobby is rather displeased--that is, until the puppy's mischievous personality surprises him. Kids will have fun finding the sharks cleverly hidden in the illustrations of this funny, engaging twist on the traditional new-puppy tale.
40 pp.
| Random
| August, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-385-39080-4$16.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-97355-0$19.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-385-39081-1
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ben Mantle.
Patterned after "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly," these whimsical verses describe a dragon who--not satisfied with the knight--gulps down everything from the squire to the castle moat before having second thoughts. "Maybe I've been a tad impolite. / Perchance I should only have swallowed the knight." Jaunty illustrations complement the absurdity of the rhyme.
40 pp.
| Random
| October, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-375-86014-0$16.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-96014-7$19.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ben Mantle.
Mouse Murray lacks a carrot for his "Perfect Soup." A farmer offers him one if he'll haul logs, a horse will haul the logs in exchange for jingle bells, etc. Everyone (except grumpy Mrs. Wooley) agrees to help--for a price. The final individual helps without ulterior motives, though, and the cumulative story, with its cheery illustrations, ends with a satisfying twist.