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32 pp.
| Philomel
| May, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-25085-9$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Keith Graves.
Froggie is jumping out of his skin with anticipation after Rabbit tells him their friends Gander, Goose, and new baby Gosling are coming to visit. However, baby Gosling does nothing but cry--until Froggie entertains her. The pacing is off (the characters spend way too much time cleaning), but Froggie's enthusiasm, shown in eye-catching acrylic, ink, and pencil illustrations, is infectious.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Keith Graves.
In this cumulative tale, farmer Desert Rose asks a host of obstinate creatures--and one contrary cowpoke--to help bring her stubborn pig to the state fair. The text's alliterative, Texas-style exclamations ("bite my boots," "pickle my pistols") demand to be read aloud. Acrylic illustrations show drowsy-eyed animals not at all inclined to lend a hand.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Keith Graves.
After noticing that Hilda Mae Heifer's moo sounds sad, her friends hold auditions to find her some musical accompaniment. However, once they amass a chorus of crooners, Hilda decides she's more cut out for dancing. Silly dialogue and goofy facial expressions give the animals great personality, while alliteration plus animal sounds make for an entertaining read-aloud experience.
32 pp.
| Chronicle
| April, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8118-5130-5$16.99
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Keith Graves.
Each of the twenty-five works in this inventive collection is based on a Guinness Book of World Records entry. Some are not unexpected while others are more bizarre ("The Most Cobras Kissed Consecutively"). Lewis varies his style to best accommodate the feat described. Likewise, Graves's acrylic and colored-pencil illustrations take different forms and as much space as they need to illuminate the poems.
32 pp.
| Philomel
| February, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-24496-4$15.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Keith Graves.
After writing up programs, making a costume, and performing his favorite song for Grandpa's birthday, Froggie's sad when the big day's over. "Don't want to say good-bye!" he cries. So Rabbit reads him a story, and as Graves's palette fades to dreamy purplish-blues, Froggie settles down for the night. The story's pacing is just right for lulling hyped-up kiddos to sleep.
32 pp.
| Philomel
| February, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-399-23978-2$15.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Keith Graves.
During a storm, Froggie barges in on Rabbit and listens while Rabbit reads a story. Each evening Froggie returns for another story, bringing with him more unwanted fuss and clutter. Finally, Rabbit sends Froggie away but then finds something missing at story time. Although the outcome is predictable and the colors are rather garish, humor fills both text and illustrations in this tale of companionship.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Keith Graves.
Although Hilda Mae Heifer loves to sing, no one appreciates it. One day while crooning, she gets knocked "on the noggin." When she comes to, she can't remember what noise she makes: Honk? Oink? Mew? The other animals help her get her moo back; when she starts singing again they get earplugs. The zany illustrations complement the boisterously funny text.
32 pp.
| Scholastic
| September, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-590-99723-8$$15.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Keith Graves.
Long ago, when Armadillo had huge ears, he used to eavesdrop and repeat distorted tales about other animals. Outraged, Alligator trimmed Armadillo's ears to the tiny size they are today. Ketteman's original pourquoi tale features colorful language, and the illustrations reflect the story's exaggerations. However, the wronged animals don't arouse much sympathy, and unlike some tricksters, Armadillo is merely disagreeable.