Karen GoatKeeper's Blog, page 10
November 22, 2024
"Where Horses Run Free" and "The Day Dirk Yeller Came to Town"
Horses and the West ruled this week, sort of.
Where Horses Run Free
5 stars, favorite
Author" Joy Cowley
Illustrator: Layne Johnson
Ranchers didn't want them so the government rounded up the mustangs. In the pens, the horses languished. Then a man who loved them bought a ranch, brought them home and turned them loose.
The illustrations are wonderful, full of movement and color as are the horses themselves.
The Day dirk Yeller Came to Town
5 stars favorite
Author: Mary Casanova
Illustrator: Ard Hoyt
Dirk Yeller is the classic Western villain when he comes to town. He is jumpy, itchy, pushy, scary. A young boy suggests the answer to his search. Wil it work?
The illustrations are Western style. The expressions and poses are so much classic Western.
The solution to Dirk's problem is delightful.
Where Horses Run Free
5 stars, favorite
Author" Joy Cowley
Illustrator: Layne Johnson
Ranchers didn't want them so the government rounded up the mustangs. In the pens, the horses languished. Then a man who loved them bought a ranch, brought them home and turned them loose.
The illustrations are wonderful, full of movement and color as are the horses themselves.
The Day dirk Yeller Came to Town
5 stars favorite
Author: Mary Casanova
Illustrator: Ard Hoyt
Dirk Yeller is the classic Western villain when he comes to town. He is jumpy, itchy, pushy, scary. A young boy suggests the answer to his search. Wil it work?
The illustrations are Western style. The expressions and poses are so much classic Western.
The solution to Dirk's problem is delightful.
November 19, 2024
"The Great Blue House" and "Madeline"
These two books are from very different worlds.
The Great Blue House
3 stars
Author: Kate Banks
Illustrator: Georg Hallensleben
Over the summer months a family lives in the great blue house. They enjoy the creek, the woods and more. When the fall comes, the family shuts up the house and leaves.
Being shut up should mean the great blue house is empty all winter. It isn't. Several creatures move in. They are there waiting when the family returns the next summer.
The illustrations are done in impressionistic oils. They are well done, but can seem too much for a picture book.
Madeline
3 stars
Author/Illustrator: Ludwig Bemelmans
Set in Paris long ago, the story opens up discussion of how children grew up then in private, nun supervised homes.
Madeline is one of twelve little girls overseen by Sister Clavel. She is brave and mischievous. One night she develops appendicitis. Off the doctor takes her to the hospital.
The school is very regimented. The girls go to many places in Paris. A list of them is in the back.
The drawings are simple impressions of the people and places.
The Great Blue House
3 stars
Author: Kate Banks
Illustrator: Georg Hallensleben
Over the summer months a family lives in the great blue house. They enjoy the creek, the woods and more. When the fall comes, the family shuts up the house and leaves.
Being shut up should mean the great blue house is empty all winter. It isn't. Several creatures move in. They are there waiting when the family returns the next summer.
The illustrations are done in impressionistic oils. They are well done, but can seem too much for a picture book.
Madeline
3 stars
Author/Illustrator: Ludwig Bemelmans
Set in Paris long ago, the story opens up discussion of how children grew up then in private, nun supervised homes.
Madeline is one of twelve little girls overseen by Sister Clavel. She is brave and mischievous. One night she develops appendicitis. Off the doctor takes her to the hospital.
The school is very regimented. The girls go to many places in Paris. A list of them is in the back.
The drawings are simple impressions of the people and places.
November 15, 2024
"Kitten's Adventure" and "Mama Cat Has Three Kittens"
This was a kitten week. Baby animals are popular subjects in the picture book realm.
Kitten's Adventure
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Michele Coxon
Kittens are curious. While the others sleep, this kitten goes exploring the farm and surroundings. Visits with the birds, chickens, pigs, cows and horses keep the kitten busy.
Every illustration is busy with lots of details. Each one can provide perusing time looking for the kitten and other denizens. New details can emerge with every reading.
Mama Cat Has Three Kittens
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Denise Fleming
Mama Cat takes two kittens off doing this and that. Then there is Boris who sleeps through it all. That is, he sleeps until the others want to go to sleep.
The illustrations are brightly colored. Lots goes on as the cat family goes exploring.
Kitten's Adventure
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Michele Coxon
Kittens are curious. While the others sleep, this kitten goes exploring the farm and surroundings. Visits with the birds, chickens, pigs, cows and horses keep the kitten busy.
Every illustration is busy with lots of details. Each one can provide perusing time looking for the kitten and other denizens. New details can emerge with every reading.
Mama Cat Has Three Kittens
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Denise Fleming
Mama Cat takes two kittens off doing this and that. Then there is Boris who sleeps through it all. That is, he sleeps until the others want to go to sleep.
The illustrations are brightly colored. Lots goes on as the cat family goes exploring.
November 12, 2024
"The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses", "Pinkalicious" and "Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back"
Picture books make a nice way to relax when the weather is bad.
Pinkalicious
4 stars
Authors: Victoria and Elizabeth Kann
Illustrator: Victoria Kann
A little girl loves pink, especially pink cupcakes. She eats so many, she turns pink. This has unfortunate consequences and a not desired cure.
The illustrations are colorful, filled with pink. They are stilted, but go well with a fun, fantasy book.
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Paul Goble
This is a story about a Native American girl who has a special affinity with the tribe's horses. When a storm spooks the herd, she is carried off to where a wild stallion adopts her.
The illustrations are beautifully done. They seem stiff, yet still convey motion. There is a wealth of different plants and animals in them. They have a Native American feel to them.
Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back
5 stars
Authors: Joseph Bruchac, Jonathan London
Illustrator: Thomas Locker
This is not classified as a picture book, but can be used as one. It begins by showing a box turtle has 13 skutes on its shell. There are 13 moons during the year. Each skute stands for one moon.
Native American tribes had names for each moon reflecting what was happening at that time of the year. Each moon is illustrated with a story from a tribe with it.
The illustrations are rich. The stories are interesting.
Pinkalicious
4 stars
Authors: Victoria and Elizabeth Kann
Illustrator: Victoria Kann
A little girl loves pink, especially pink cupcakes. She eats so many, she turns pink. This has unfortunate consequences and a not desired cure.
The illustrations are colorful, filled with pink. They are stilted, but go well with a fun, fantasy book.
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Paul Goble
This is a story about a Native American girl who has a special affinity with the tribe's horses. When a storm spooks the herd, she is carried off to where a wild stallion adopts her.
The illustrations are beautifully done. They seem stiff, yet still convey motion. There is a wealth of different plants and animals in them. They have a Native American feel to them.
Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back
5 stars
Authors: Joseph Bruchac, Jonathan London
Illustrator: Thomas Locker
This is not classified as a picture book, but can be used as one. It begins by showing a box turtle has 13 skutes on its shell. There are 13 moons during the year. Each skute stands for one moon.
Native American tribes had names for each moon reflecting what was happening at that time of the year. Each moon is illustrated with a story from a tribe with it.
The illustrations are rich. The stories are interesting.
November 7, 2024
"How to Catch a Falling Star" and "I'm Not Going to Chase the Cat Today!"
Two books of pure fantasy, Both are cute and fun to read.
How to Catch a Falling Star
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Heidi & Daniel Howarth
The star is the last leaf. All the animals gather to catch it as it falls as then the magic will be theirs. They will get a wish.
The illustrations are colorful. The animals are like cute stuffed animal toys.
I'm Not Going to Chase the Cat Today!
4 stars
Author: Jessica Harper
Illustrator: Lindsay Harper du Pont
One morning the dog gets up and decides he won't chase the cat today. The cat then decides not to chase the mouse today. And so it goes making everyone happy. that is reason to have a party.
The animals in the illustrations are humans dressed up with animal heads and clothes. Still, they do create the fun atmosphere and humor of the story.
How to Catch a Falling Star
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Heidi & Daniel Howarth
The star is the last leaf. All the animals gather to catch it as it falls as then the magic will be theirs. They will get a wish.
The illustrations are colorful. The animals are like cute stuffed animal toys.
I'm Not Going to Chase the Cat Today!
4 stars
Author: Jessica Harper
Illustrator: Lindsay Harper du Pont
One morning the dog gets up and decides he won't chase the cat today. The cat then decides not to chase the mouse today. And so it goes making everyone happy. that is reason to have a party.
The animals in the illustrations are humans dressed up with animal heads and clothes. Still, they do create the fun atmosphere and humor of the story.
November 1, 2024
"Pretty Perfect Kitty Corn", "Born on the Water" and "Little Fox in the Forest"
This week was a mix of topics, but all were worth reading.
Pretty Perfect Kitty Corn
4 stars
Author: Shannon Hale
Illustrator: Leuyen Pham
Unicorn feels she must be perfect to keep the friendships of others especially Kitty. When she isn't, she is afraid of losing all she values. Will she?
The illustrations are big and bold, filled with color. The unicorn is beautiful. Kitty is cute and pink. It gets a bit wild at the end.
Born on the Water
4 stars
Authors: Nikole Hannah-Jones, Renee Watson
Illustrator: Nikkolas Smith
Based on the 1619 Project, this is a story of how Black Americans first came to Virginia. The text is free verse evoking not only the event, but emotions about it.
The illustrations are impressionistic. They fit well with the free verse text.
Little Fox in the Woods
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
There is no text in this picture book. Instead the many illustrations create the story of a little fox that steals a stuffed fox and the children who seek to get this beloved toy back.
Since there is no text, the reader can be urged to create the story from the pictures. This story is easy to follow.
Pretty Perfect Kitty Corn
4 stars
Author: Shannon Hale
Illustrator: Leuyen Pham
Unicorn feels she must be perfect to keep the friendships of others especially Kitty. When she isn't, she is afraid of losing all she values. Will she?
The illustrations are big and bold, filled with color. The unicorn is beautiful. Kitty is cute and pink. It gets a bit wild at the end.
Born on the Water
4 stars
Authors: Nikole Hannah-Jones, Renee Watson
Illustrator: Nikkolas Smith
Based on the 1619 Project, this is a story of how Black Americans first came to Virginia. The text is free verse evoking not only the event, but emotions about it.
The illustrations are impressionistic. They fit well with the free verse text.
Little Fox in the Woods
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Stephanie Graegin
There is no text in this picture book. Instead the many illustrations create the story of a little fox that steals a stuffed fox and the children who seek to get this beloved toy back.
Since there is no text, the reader can be urged to create the story from the pictures. This story is easy to follow.
October 29, 2024
"A Year in the Country" and "700 Kids on Grandpa's Farm"
Children love reading about farms and farm animals, or must considering how many picture books are on these subjects. These are two more.
A Year in the Country
3 stars
Author/Illustrator: Douglas Florian
Each two page spread is for one month in the year. There is no text other than the name of the month.
Lots goes on in the illustrations. The different animals are not well done. I never did figure out if the white ones were sheep or goats.
The illustrations are good enough to see some of what goes on over the course of a year on a family farm.
700 Kids on Grandpa's Farm
5 stars
Author: Ann Morris
Illustrator: Ken Heyman
Most of the kids in this story have four legs as they are Alpine goat kids. There are plenty of human kids too helping out with various chores and activities around the farm.
The illustrations are photographs of the goats and the cheese factory turning the milk into cream cheese. These Alpines are beautiful and range through many of the color patterns found in Alpines.
The photographs show the little kids and bottle feeding them. The adults are trim and have lovely udders. This is a great book about dairy goats.
A Year in the Country
3 stars
Author/Illustrator: Douglas Florian
Each two page spread is for one month in the year. There is no text other than the name of the month.
Lots goes on in the illustrations. The different animals are not well done. I never did figure out if the white ones were sheep or goats.
The illustrations are good enough to see some of what goes on over the course of a year on a family farm.
700 Kids on Grandpa's Farm
5 stars
Author: Ann Morris
Illustrator: Ken Heyman
Most of the kids in this story have four legs as they are Alpine goat kids. There are plenty of human kids too helping out with various chores and activities around the farm.
The illustrations are photographs of the goats and the cheese factory turning the milk into cream cheese. These Alpines are beautiful and range through many of the color patterns found in Alpines.
The photographs show the little kids and bottle feeding them. The adults are trim and have lovely udders. This is a great book about dairy goats.
October 25, 2024
"The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush" and "Diary of a Spider"
These very different picture books are alike in being interesting to read.
The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
This is based on several Indian legends. It tells of a young man who loves to paint. He is physically unable to become a warrior, yet uses his gift to create stories for his people.
The one picture the young man longs to create is of the sunset. None of his paints are brilliant enough to capture a sunset's glowing color. A dream takes him out to try once more.
The illustrations are stylized, but colorful and reminiscent of beautiful designs on pottery. Their formality reflects this being from old legends.
Diary of a Spider
5 stars
Author: Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Harry Bliss
This book does take a lot of liberties from the facts about spiders. It uses enough to keep the spiders being spiders.
It is a very cute take on spiders. The format is fun. The web on the water fountain will make everyone look first after reading this.
The illustrations are colorful, imaginative and fun.
The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
This is based on several Indian legends. It tells of a young man who loves to paint. He is physically unable to become a warrior, yet uses his gift to create stories for his people.
The one picture the young man longs to create is of the sunset. None of his paints are brilliant enough to capture a sunset's glowing color. A dream takes him out to try once more.
The illustrations are stylized, but colorful and reminiscent of beautiful designs on pottery. Their formality reflects this being from old legends.
Diary of a Spider
5 stars
Author: Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Harry Bliss
This book does take a lot of liberties from the facts about spiders. It uses enough to keep the spiders being spiders.
It is a very cute take on spiders. The format is fun. The web on the water fountain will make everyone look first after reading this.
The illustrations are colorful, imaginative and fun.
October 22, 2024
"The wonder of Bats", "In the Middle of Fall" and "Pete the Cat Falling for Autumn"
Animals and fall made for a great set of books.
The Wonder of Bats
5 stars
Authors: Amy Bauman, Kathryn T. Lundberg
Illustrator: John F. McGee
Mention bats and many people freak out. They get tangled in your hair. They carry rabies.
Such tales hide the true wonder of bats, the only mammal to truly fly. This book is filled with fascinating facts about bats ranging from the more familiar insect eaters to huge fruit bats.
The illustrations are a mix of sketches and photographs showing the huge range of bats from the tiny 5-inch bumblebee bat to giant flying fox bats with a 5 foot wingspan. Then there are the Honduran white bats that construct leaf shelters. And the fishing bat that catches fish for dinner.
This is an excellent introduction to these fascinating and valuable creatures.
In the Middle of Fall
4 stars
Author: Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
For the younger set this book is a journey through the fall. The leaves have taken on their fall colors. The animals are harvesting the fall bounty of fruit, seeds and nuts. People are enjoying fall activities.
The illustrations have thick dark lines, fall colors in browns and brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. They give the feeling of fall.
Pete the Cat Falling for Autumn
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Kimberly and James Dean
Pete the Cat is not happy to see summer leave. He likes summer activities. His mother sends Pete off to explore autumn. As he finds new activities, he collects souvenirs to remind himself of things he likes about autumn.
The illustrations are typical for Pete the Cat books: bold, colorful and stylized.
The Wonder of Bats
5 stars
Authors: Amy Bauman, Kathryn T. Lundberg
Illustrator: John F. McGee
Mention bats and many people freak out. They get tangled in your hair. They carry rabies.
Such tales hide the true wonder of bats, the only mammal to truly fly. This book is filled with fascinating facts about bats ranging from the more familiar insect eaters to huge fruit bats.
The illustrations are a mix of sketches and photographs showing the huge range of bats from the tiny 5-inch bumblebee bat to giant flying fox bats with a 5 foot wingspan. Then there are the Honduran white bats that construct leaf shelters. And the fishing bat that catches fish for dinner.
This is an excellent introduction to these fascinating and valuable creatures.
In the Middle of Fall
4 stars
Author: Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Laura Dronzek
For the younger set this book is a journey through the fall. The leaves have taken on their fall colors. The animals are harvesting the fall bounty of fruit, seeds and nuts. People are enjoying fall activities.
The illustrations have thick dark lines, fall colors in browns and brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. They give the feeling of fall.
Pete the Cat Falling for Autumn
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Kimberly and James Dean
Pete the Cat is not happy to see summer leave. He likes summer activities. His mother sends Pete off to explore autumn. As he finds new activities, he collects souvenirs to remind himself of things he likes about autumn.
The illustrations are typical for Pete the Cat books: bold, colorful and stylized.
October 18, 2024
"Beagle Tales" and "Rabbits & Raindrops"
The furry ones, be they pets or wild, are always fun to read about.
Beagle Tales
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Joan Baker
Parents get busy. When they are, they can do funny things. There is to be a party so the dog is fed early and locked up. Except the dog shows up at the door expecting to be fed. There is no time to track down what happened. Poor Fred.
The illustrations are simple and effective. The dog is most expressive. If you look closely, there are clues to what happened in them.
Rabbits & Raindrops
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Jim Arnosky
This is a simple tale about baby bunnies going out for the first time only to have a rainstorm blow through. What do wild animals do when it rains?
The illustrations are cute, endearing, and convey the joy of baby rabbits on their first day out of the nest.
Beagle Tales
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Joan Baker
Parents get busy. When they are, they can do funny things. There is to be a party so the dog is fed early and locked up. Except the dog shows up at the door expecting to be fed. There is no time to track down what happened. Poor Fred.
The illustrations are simple and effective. The dog is most expressive. If you look closely, there are clues to what happened in them.
Rabbits & Raindrops
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Jim Arnosky
This is a simple tale about baby bunnies going out for the first time only to have a rainstorm blow through. What do wild animals do when it rains?
The illustrations are cute, endearing, and convey the joy of baby rabbits on their first day out of the nest.
