To continue reading, please subscribe to the Horn Book Guide Online.
An individual subscription is just $48 and gets you a full year of unlimited access to trusted reviews of all recommended hardcover trade books published in the United States for young people. (Institutional subscriptions are also available.) Subscribe today!
The Horn Book Guide Online is fully searchable by author/illustrator, title, subject, bibliographic data, rating, and keyword. New features include useful, timely, and topical booklists—curated by Horn Book editors and updated frequently—as well as the ability to save all your favorite titles to “My Library.”
Log In
Don't have a Horn Book Guide Account?
Register Now
Register Now
Gorbachev, Valeri
35 Reviews
(2)
K-3
Chasing a butterfly and frog leads Brother and Sister Duck into an unfamiliar part of the forest. Kindly creatures try to help by calling loudly, making the forest "a very noisy place." In Gorbachev's watercolor, gouache, and ink pictures, the woods stay in the background and the animals wear clothes; their comical reactions and expressions make this story more funny than alarming. Lots of story-hour potential here.
Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2019
(2)
PS
Piglet Nelly is thrilled with her new polka-dotted swimsuit, but when she and her mother head to the beach, Nelly refuses to go into the water. Gorbachev's pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations show Nelly delightedly continuing to wear her suit, even when they visit Grandma, a champion swimmer. Appealingly, no one ever scolds Nelly for her fear, and she gains confidence by watching her grandmother swim.
Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2018
(3)
PS
Compared to his family and other animals such as Elephant and Giraffe, Little Hippo is the smallest creature around (or so he thinks)--and he doesn't like it. But when Little Hippo helps a tiny bug, he's delighted to discover the deed makes him "feel just the right size." Gorbachev's emotive ink and watercolor illustrations make it easy to empathize with "Big Little Hippo."
Reviewer: Martha Sibert
(4)
K-3
On his way to pick up a pizza for lunch with Mommy, young pig Pinky gets coated with snow that's fallen from a tree. Unaware of his appearance, Pinky soldiers on, puzzled by all the hubbub ("A walking snowman!"). It's a good, if limited, gag; Gorbachev's greater achievement is his art, which shows a snow-dappled neighborhood full of good-naturedly curious Richard Scarry–esque animals.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
(3)
K-3
I Like to Read series.
To each of Bear's raves about the beach--"I like the sun"; "I like to swim"--Chipmunk replies, "Not me!" Meanwhile, winking watercolor and ink illustrations show what Bear misses: Chipmunk tossed by a wave, pinched by a crab, etc. A note-perfect punch line--"'Why did you come?' said Bear. 'I came to be with you.' said Chipmunk"--makes a pleasing valentine to friendship.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
(3)
K-3
Doctor Nice sensitively cares for a wide range of animal patients, dispensing cautionary advice while he bandages wounds and checks symptoms. It's Mommy's turn at story's end, revealing the doc as a child and the patients as stuffed animals. Crosshatched watercolor and ink illustrations of the assorted critters' injurious antics accompany this warmhearted portrait of a diligent young healthcare expert at work.
Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty
(3)
K-3
Miss Bell names her tiny striped kitten Tiger--which proves prophetic when he grows (and grows and grows) to full tiger size. Miss Bell's unflappable nature serves her well when a fish she gets for Tiger follows a similar trajectory. The illustrations' humorous details (a mantle full of Tiger pictures, shocked bystanders during an outing) are in perfect counterpoint to the deadpan text.
Reviewer: Katie Bircher
(3)
K-3
In her second picture book, Catty Jane excitedly begins lessons at Mrs. Heron's Dance Academy. Single-mindedly focused on practicing ballet moves, she forgoes playfully dancing with her friends Froggy, Piggy, and Goose. Light-footed pen-and-ink and watercolor vignettes depict the rambunctious character's graceful ballet beginnings as well as her insight that dancing with friends in "different ways" is a blast, too.
Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty
(3)
K-3
I Like to Read series.
Bear and Chipmunk enjoy a snowy day outdoors shoveling, skating, and skiing. Throughout the simple story, whenever Bear speaks, Chipmunk replies, "Me too!" But when Bear says, "Sweet dreams," Chipmunk fires back a satisfyingly different reply. With this comical twist and the visual jokes in his lively illustrations, Gorbachev creates an entertaining book for those who are just beginning to read.
Reviewer: Martha Sibert
(3)
K-3
Catty Jane hates everything about rain--until her friends throw her a "rainy-day party" during a thunderstorm. Piggy, Froggy, and Goose lift Catty Jane's spirits with cookies, umbrellas, and dancing. Gray-blue ink and watercolor illustrations convey the stormy weather outside, while soft pastel colors capture the feline's cozy home.
Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty
(3)
K-3
When Simon tells his sister he wants to make friends with his favorite animal, a dragon, Emma explains all the rules: don't show you're afraid and don't scare him; be polite and don't tease; and if he takes you flying be sure to wear your seatbelt. Gorbachev's distinctive sketchy illustrations expand the various rules and add humor to this simple fantasy.
Reviewer: Patricia Riley
(3)
PS
Two chicks feel trepidation about their first day of school. After the other animal children help them, the chicks feel braver. The perky illustrations are just right for this amiable story. The new "Tuff Books" edition of the story (originally titled Chicken Chickens Go to School) sports a smaller trim size and glossy, heavy paper suitable for young hands.
Reviewer: Martha Sibert
(3)
PS
In this story of overcoming fears, two little chicks new to the playground are afraid to try any equipment--until a beaver invites them to go down the slide with him. The new "Tuff Books" edition of the story (originally titled Chicken Chickens) sports a smaller trim size and glossy, heavy paper suitable for young hands.
Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth
(4)
PS
While his baby brother sleeps, a boy quiets his toys with a "Shhh!" Once the baby wakes up, all returns to noisy normal--until the baby goes back to sleep. Without any conflict ("I am quiet again. Because I love my baby brother so"), there's not much story here. Gorbachev's engaging illustrations do most of the heavy lifting.
Reviewer: Kari Allen
(3)
K-3
Mouse Molly returns--this time, to fret about what to give Turtle for his birthday. When her animal friends independently create nearly identical gifts (drawings of a tree), Molly saves the day by merging them into a book about the seasons. Gorbachev's watercolor and gouache illustrations, accented with ink, ably showcase his anthropomorphized animal cast and their bucolic setting.
Reviewer: Nell Beram
(3)
K-3
As the family enjoys Bootsy the cat's play, brother Jeff imagines her as a clown, football star, or ballerina. Reality-based sister Ginny, however, declares Bootsy is "just a regular cat." Jeff concurs, but "she is the best cat in the world," and at last they agree. Gorbachev's enjoyable sketchy ink and watercolor illustrations give life to the daydreams and reality.
Reviewer: Patricia Riley
(3)
K-3
Mouse, mistaking an impending storm cloud for a dragon, has all the farm animals running for cover. Sensible Dog (whose imaginative remark got the ball rolling) sets them straight when the storm passes. Gorbachev's skillful use of light and shadow enhance the sky-is-falling plot.
Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden
(3)
K-3
Mouse Molly is having a blast at the fair, going to the fun house with Rabbit, the merry-go-round with Goose, and a puppet show with Pig. She gets really carried away, though, after buying balloons for all of her pals. The kid-friendly text and sprightly watercolor, gouache, and ink illustrations show how the friends save the day without bursting Molly's bubble.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
(4)
K-3
Mother Hen, out hanging laundry, becomes frantic when Mrs. Duck points out that six--not seven--chicks are assisting. The neighbors, police, and fire department get involved. Eventually, the errant chick is found snuggled in the laundry basket. Given the rather alarming premise, the story's happy ending (never really in doubt, thanks to the cheery ink and watercolor illustrations) is great consolation.
Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden
(3)
K-3
After Little Turtle dreams he's a penguin, he convinces his animal schoolmates to join him in games of waddling, belly-sliding, and passing the egg--all activities from the book his father read to him at bedtime. Fanciful watercolor illustrations capture the animals' antics at school and Little Turtle's continued penguin impersonation at home. A list of "penguin facts" is included.
Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo
35 reviews