Karen GoatKeeper's Blog, page 4
July 8, 2025
"It Takes a Village", "The Very Busy Spider" and "Duck & Goose"
These were a fun selection.
It Takes a Village
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Jane Cowan-Fletcher
Yemi is to watch her baby brother while her mother sells mangos at the market. She is proud of having such a responsibility and determined to do her best.
Her little brother presents a problem. As Yemi gets food for him, he wanders off. She is left searching for him as he visits with many of the vendors at the market.
Yemi's mother knows Yemi tries hard, but all the adults know everyone is needed to watch a busy little boy.
The illustrations give a clean, colorful depiction of this African village and the people who live there.
The Very Busy Spider
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Eric Carle
A little spider finds a good place to build a web and gets started. Various others come by asking her to stop and do something else. She ignores them, except for the last idea: having a fly for dinner as it gets caught in her finished web.
The illustrations are figures done in patterned paper. The web strands and spider are touchable.
Duck & Goose
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Tad Hills
Duck and Goose are not friends. when they find a large, round object they assume is an egg, the competition gets fierce. Their compromise changes attitudes and their new friendship survives finding their object isn't an egg after all.
Both the text and the illustrations have gentle humor in them. The illustrations are colorful. Duck and Goose are cute.
It Takes a Village
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Jane Cowan-Fletcher
Yemi is to watch her baby brother while her mother sells mangos at the market. She is proud of having such a responsibility and determined to do her best.
Her little brother presents a problem. As Yemi gets food for him, he wanders off. She is left searching for him as he visits with many of the vendors at the market.
Yemi's mother knows Yemi tries hard, but all the adults know everyone is needed to watch a busy little boy.
The illustrations give a clean, colorful depiction of this African village and the people who live there.
The Very Busy Spider
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Eric Carle
A little spider finds a good place to build a web and gets started. Various others come by asking her to stop and do something else. She ignores them, except for the last idea: having a fly for dinner as it gets caught in her finished web.
The illustrations are figures done in patterned paper. The web strands and spider are touchable.
Duck & Goose
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Tad Hills
Duck and Goose are not friends. when they find a large, round object they assume is an egg, the competition gets fierce. Their compromise changes attitudes and their new friendship survives finding their object isn't an egg after all.
Both the text and the illustrations have gentle humor in them. The illustrations are colorful. Duck and Goose are cute.
July 5, 2025
"The Bravest Fish and the Cave Monster","Come Along, Daisy" and "Rooster's Off to See the World"
Animals can get into so much trouble in picture books.
Rooster's Off to See the World
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Eric Carle
Rooster wants to see the world and sets off. On the way he meets up with various creatures in a counting book: 2 cats; 3 frogs; 4 turtles; and 5 fish. However, they really haven't made many preparations, so, in reverse order, they all go home.
The illustrations are done in patterned paper. They are colorful and interesting.
Come Along, Daisy
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Jane Simmons
Daisy Duckling is supposed to stay close to her mother. Yet, the world is such an interesting place to go exploring. Soon, Daisy is lost and something is coming her way.
Watercolor with lots of washes really make the pond an interesting place. The various creatures are all ones you would expect to see around a pond.
The Bravest Fish and the Cave Monster
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Matt Buckingham
Stanley and friends are going exploring a cave in their ocean home area. What's in the cave? It is so easy to see monsters in shadows.
The illustrations are colorful. The ocean denizens are made cute. It is a fun story.
Rooster's Off to See the World
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Eric Carle
Rooster wants to see the world and sets off. On the way he meets up with various creatures in a counting book: 2 cats; 3 frogs; 4 turtles; and 5 fish. However, they really haven't made many preparations, so, in reverse order, they all go home.
The illustrations are done in patterned paper. They are colorful and interesting.
Come Along, Daisy
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Jane Simmons
Daisy Duckling is supposed to stay close to her mother. Yet, the world is such an interesting place to go exploring. Soon, Daisy is lost and something is coming her way.
Watercolor with lots of washes really make the pond an interesting place. The various creatures are all ones you would expect to see around a pond.
The Bravest Fish and the Cave Monster
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Matt Buckingham
Stanley and friends are going exploring a cave in their ocean home area. What's in the cave? It is so easy to see monsters in shadows.
The illustrations are colorful. The ocean denizens are made cute. It is a fun story.
July 1, 2025
"Hot Dog", "North Country Night" and "Thimbleberry Stories"
A variety of animal stories were good reading this past week.
Thimbleberry Stories
5 stars
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Maggie Kneen
These were a series of short stories starring Nigel Chipmunk. They resemble Beatrice Potter and the Toad stories.
Nigel visits with various animal neighbors around his Thimbleberry Lane neighborhood. Little Owl, the partners Claudius and Copper, Mudpuppy and Dipper each star in a story. All are charming and very Victorian in flavor.
The illustrations are exquisitely done. These too are in the same mold as the other book series.
North Country Night
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Daniel San Souci
The people in a cabin in the woods go to sleep as the animals living in the woods around them get up. A great horned owl leads off as he glides over looking for his dinner. The owl spots a coyote that is following a fox that comes across a mountain lion. the series of animals keeps going until dawn approaches and the lights in the cabin are lit to start the day.
Although the illustrations are not photographs, they are arranged as though they are. They tell a story that could be true up in the snow country during the winter.
Hot Dog
5 stars, favorite
Author/Illustrator: Doug Salati
New York City in the summer gets hot. A woman has errands to do and takes her little furry dachshund out for exercise. Except the dog is hot. So is she.
What can they do about it? The two can go to the beach.
The illustrations deserve the Caldecott medal they were given. They truly capture the plight of the dog, the crowds, the city and, later, the sea shore.
Thimbleberry Stories
5 stars
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Maggie Kneen
These were a series of short stories starring Nigel Chipmunk. They resemble Beatrice Potter and the Toad stories.
Nigel visits with various animal neighbors around his Thimbleberry Lane neighborhood. Little Owl, the partners Claudius and Copper, Mudpuppy and Dipper each star in a story. All are charming and very Victorian in flavor.
The illustrations are exquisitely done. These too are in the same mold as the other book series.
North Country Night
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Daniel San Souci
The people in a cabin in the woods go to sleep as the animals living in the woods around them get up. A great horned owl leads off as he glides over looking for his dinner. The owl spots a coyote that is following a fox that comes across a mountain lion. the series of animals keeps going until dawn approaches and the lights in the cabin are lit to start the day.
Although the illustrations are not photographs, they are arranged as though they are. They tell a story that could be true up in the snow country during the winter.
Hot Dog
5 stars, favorite
Author/Illustrator: Doug Salati
New York City in the summer gets hot. A woman has errands to do and takes her little furry dachshund out for exercise. Except the dog is hot. So is she.
What can they do about it? The two can go to the beach.
The illustrations deserve the Caldecott medal they were given. They truly capture the plight of the dog, the crowds, the city and, later, the sea shore.
June 27, 2025
"The Apple Pie Tree","Dirt: The Scoop on Soil" and "Mammoths on the Move"
I raided the nonfiction shelves this week.
The Apple Pie Tree
5 stars
Author: Zoe Hall
Illustrator: Shari Halpern
What is the most important ingredient in an apple pie? This ingredient grows on a tree. The text follows as the apple tree goes through the season along with robins and others who live in the tree.
The illustrations look like decoupage. They are big, bold, colorful.
There is an apple pie recipe in the end of the book.
Dirt: The Scoop on Soil
4 stars
Author: Natalie M. Rosinsky
Illustrator: Sheree Boyd
This is a good introduction to what dirt or soil is. There are several simple experiments included.
The illustrations are decoupage. They show the types of dirt and some of the creatures that live in or affect dirt.
Mammoths on the Move
3 stars
Author: Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Kurt Cyrus
The story is basically about wooly elephants on migration in a snowy landscape. There is limited information about mammoths.
The illustrations are good and more informative than the text.
The Apple Pie Tree
5 stars
Author: Zoe Hall
Illustrator: Shari Halpern
What is the most important ingredient in an apple pie? This ingredient grows on a tree. The text follows as the apple tree goes through the season along with robins and others who live in the tree.
The illustrations look like decoupage. They are big, bold, colorful.
There is an apple pie recipe in the end of the book.
Dirt: The Scoop on Soil
4 stars
Author: Natalie M. Rosinsky
Illustrator: Sheree Boyd
This is a good introduction to what dirt or soil is. There are several simple experiments included.
The illustrations are decoupage. They show the types of dirt and some of the creatures that live in or affect dirt.
Mammoths on the Move
3 stars
Author: Lisa Wheeler
Illustrator: Kurt Cyrus
The story is basically about wooly elephants on migration in a snowy landscape. There is limited information about mammoths.
The illustrations are good and more informative than the text.
June 24, 2025
"It Looked Like Spilt Milk", "Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!" and "Escargot"
This week was another eclectic collection.
"It Looked Like Spilt Milk
3 stars
Author/Illustrator: Charles G. Shaw
Every illustration is a white silhouette against a dark blue. Each figure resembles something, but isn't that something. What are they?
This is an interesting book to entice a child to guess at what the silhouette really is. The dark blue would be better in a lighter shade.
Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Mo Willems
This is one of a series about the Pigeon and is aimed for younger children. In the story it is time for bed, but the Pigeon wants to stay up late. One excuse after another is made. After all, the Pigeon isn't tired - or is it?
The illustrations are just the Pigeon doing various things against some shade of blue. The text is in bubbles as it is from the excuses the Pigeon is making.
Escargot
5 stars
Author: Dashka Slater
Illustrator: Sydney Hanson
Escargot is a very French snail on his way to a picnic salad. This snail has a lot to say dropping little facts about snails as he goes.
The illustrations are colorful and very nice. The snail is done to make it look cute and personable.
"It Looked Like Spilt Milk
3 stars
Author/Illustrator: Charles G. Shaw
Every illustration is a white silhouette against a dark blue. Each figure resembles something, but isn't that something. What are they?
This is an interesting book to entice a child to guess at what the silhouette really is. The dark blue would be better in a lighter shade.
Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Mo Willems
This is one of a series about the Pigeon and is aimed for younger children. In the story it is time for bed, but the Pigeon wants to stay up late. One excuse after another is made. After all, the Pigeon isn't tired - or is it?
The illustrations are just the Pigeon doing various things against some shade of blue. The text is in bubbles as it is from the excuses the Pigeon is making.
Escargot
5 stars
Author: Dashka Slater
Illustrator: Sydney Hanson
Escargot is a very French snail on his way to a picnic salad. This snail has a lot to say dropping little facts about snails as he goes.
The illustrations are colorful and very nice. The snail is done to make it look cute and personable.
June 20, 2025
"I Took My Frog to the Library", "Little White Rabbit" and "Mr. Wuffles!"
Animals make such fun picture book characters.
I Took My Frog to the Library
4 stars
Author: Eric Kimmel
Illustrator: Blanche Sims
The story pushes credulity and is almost ridiculous. The girl takes a series of 'pets' to the library with disastrous results.
The illustrations are colorful and do bring the disasters to life.
Little White Rabbit
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
This book is for younger children who seem to have endless questions and wonder about everything. The little white rabbit goes off on an adventure wondering what it would be like to be green, to fly, to be very big and more.
Every illustration reflects what the little rabbit would be like if his wondering became real for him. This, along with the text, is a good way to get children to think about new ways to look at the world.
Mr. Wuffles
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: David Wiesner
Mr. Wuffles is a very spoiled housecat. His owner keeps bringing home new toys for him to ignore. One 'toy' is different and the alien adventure begins. There is very little real text in the book.
The illustrations are really fun and often funny.
I Took My Frog to the Library
4 stars
Author: Eric Kimmel
Illustrator: Blanche Sims
The story pushes credulity and is almost ridiculous. The girl takes a series of 'pets' to the library with disastrous results.
The illustrations are colorful and do bring the disasters to life.
Little White Rabbit
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
This book is for younger children who seem to have endless questions and wonder about everything. The little white rabbit goes off on an adventure wondering what it would be like to be green, to fly, to be very big and more.
Every illustration reflects what the little rabbit would be like if his wondering became real for him. This, along with the text, is a good way to get children to think about new ways to look at the world.
Mr. Wuffles
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: David Wiesner
Mr. Wuffles is a very spoiled housecat. His owner keeps bringing home new toys for him to ignore. One 'toy' is different and the alien adventure begins. There is very little real text in the book.
The illustrations are really fun and often funny.
June 17, 2025
"The Dot", "The Paperboy" and "The Very Lonely Firefly"
Persistence is the theme here.
The Dot
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Vashti sits in art class fuming. She can't draw. At the end of class she puts a dot on her paper to turn in. Is a dot art? Can it become art? Can it help a non artist become an artist?
The illustrations are colored line drawings.
The Paperboy
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Dav Pilkey
The paperboy on his bicycle is from times long past now. That makes this picture book a way to look at what young people did do once upon a time to earn money.
The text tells about a morning in the life of a paperboy and his dog. It is simple and not really needed as the story is also in the illustrations.
The illustrations are muted as a paper route was done long before sunup. The colors seem to glow.
The Very Lonely Firefly
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Eric Carle
A firefly doesn't really hatch, but that makes a good beginning. This particular firefly is alone and is trying to find the other fireflies. There are many other lights to attract its attention.
The illustrations are decoupage from textured and printed paper.
The Dot
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Vashti sits in art class fuming. She can't draw. At the end of class she puts a dot on her paper to turn in. Is a dot art? Can it become art? Can it help a non artist become an artist?
The illustrations are colored line drawings.
The Paperboy
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Dav Pilkey
The paperboy on his bicycle is from times long past now. That makes this picture book a way to look at what young people did do once upon a time to earn money.
The text tells about a morning in the life of a paperboy and his dog. It is simple and not really needed as the story is also in the illustrations.
The illustrations are muted as a paper route was done long before sunup. The colors seem to glow.
The Very Lonely Firefly
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Eric Carle
A firefly doesn't really hatch, but that makes a good beginning. This particular firefly is alone and is trying to find the other fireflies. There are many other lights to attract its attention.
The illustrations are decoupage from textured and printed paper.
June 13, 2025
"Rumble, Boom! A Book About Thunderstorms" and "The Dancing Skeleton"
These are two very different picture books.
The Dancing Skeleton
5 stars
Author: Cynthia DeFelice
Illustrator: Robert Andrew Parker
Aaron Kelly wasn't anyone's favorite person. Even his widow isn't too upset at his death. She is upset when Aaron comes home and settles into his favorite chair, sitting there until he is only a skeleton.
The widow wants to get on with her life. Aaron is a problem. When a fiddler comes to call on her, a solution is possible.
This is a fun book to read.
The illustrations are colored line drawings that bring the text to life.
Rumble, Boom! A Book About Thunderstorms
4 stars
Author: Rick Thomas
Illustrator: Denise Shea
This is not a picture book for very young children. It is a simple, factual explanation of thunderstorms, how they form, act and end.
The illustrations are art class geometrics. They illustrate the text well.
The Dancing Skeleton
5 stars
Author: Cynthia DeFelice
Illustrator: Robert Andrew Parker
Aaron Kelly wasn't anyone's favorite person. Even his widow isn't too upset at his death. She is upset when Aaron comes home and settles into his favorite chair, sitting there until he is only a skeleton.
The widow wants to get on with her life. Aaron is a problem. When a fiddler comes to call on her, a solution is possible.
This is a fun book to read.
The illustrations are colored line drawings that bring the text to life.
Rumble, Boom! A Book About Thunderstorms
4 stars
Author: Rick Thomas
Illustrator: Denise Shea
This is not a picture book for very young children. It is a simple, factual explanation of thunderstorms, how they form, act and end.
The illustrations are art class geometrics. They illustrate the text well.
June 10, 2025
A Ball for Daisy", "Garth Pig Steals the Show" and "How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A."
These all sounded interesting and were.
How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A.
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Marjorie Priceman
Cherry Pie is a delicious dessert and the book begins with a recipe for making one. Things change after that.
What if you don't have some item? Well, you can go and get it from where it comes from like: making a pie pan and measuring spoons; picking cotton for pot holders; cutting wood for a rolling pin and more. Although these looks at where items come from is simplified, it does give an idea where the things we take for granted come from.
The illustrations are colorful and fun as the girl and her dog visit various states to find her raw materials.
Garth Pig Steals the Show
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Mary Raynor
The Pig family has formed a band. They are booked for a concert, but need a bass player. The woman who volunteers is rather suspicious. However, the concert must go on.
All of the illustrations are nice showing the various instruments.
A Ball for Daisy
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Chris Raschka
There is no text in this book. It is an easy book for very young children to follow the story of Daisy and her ball.
How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A.
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Marjorie Priceman
Cherry Pie is a delicious dessert and the book begins with a recipe for making one. Things change after that.
What if you don't have some item? Well, you can go and get it from where it comes from like: making a pie pan and measuring spoons; picking cotton for pot holders; cutting wood for a rolling pin and more. Although these looks at where items come from is simplified, it does give an idea where the things we take for granted come from.
The illustrations are colorful and fun as the girl and her dog visit various states to find her raw materials.
Garth Pig Steals the Show
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Mary Raynor
The Pig family has formed a band. They are booked for a concert, but need a bass player. The woman who volunteers is rather suspicious. However, the concert must go on.
All of the illustrations are nice showing the various instruments.
A Ball for Daisy
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Chris Raschka
There is no text in this book. It is an easy book for very young children to follow the story of Daisy and her ball.
June 6, 2025
"Blue Chicken", "Camping Day" and "It Fell From the Sky"
Whimsey and humor took the stage this week.
Blue Chicken
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Deborah Freedman
An artist has been painting illustrations. The barn is next on the list when the artist takes a break. One of the characters, a chick decides to help and knocks over the blue paint. A recipe for disaster?
Camping Day
5 stars
Author: Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Scott Nash
This text is simple, beginning reading level.
The crocodile family is bored and decides to go camping. They pack their things and head out into the wilderness.
These crocodiles are not seasoned campers. Little things happen, humorous things.
The illustrations are stylized, almost like decoupage. They make the story fun.
It Fell From the Sky
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: The Fan Brothers
A field of wild plants occupied by insects and other small creatures is going about living the day when an object drops down into the grass. No one knows what it is leading to discussions of what it could be and where it might have come from.
The spider decides to open an exhibit to display this object. By the end of the story, the story is a wordless, mild commentary about litter.
The illustrations are done in pencil giving them a soft look except for the fallen objects which are done in color. This is very effective in this story.
Blue Chicken
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Deborah Freedman
An artist has been painting illustrations. The barn is next on the list when the artist takes a break. One of the characters, a chick decides to help and knocks over the blue paint. A recipe for disaster?
Camping Day
5 stars
Author: Patricia Lakin
Illustrator: Scott Nash
This text is simple, beginning reading level.
The crocodile family is bored and decides to go camping. They pack their things and head out into the wilderness.
These crocodiles are not seasoned campers. Little things happen, humorous things.
The illustrations are stylized, almost like decoupage. They make the story fun.
It Fell From the Sky
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: The Fan Brothers
A field of wild plants occupied by insects and other small creatures is going about living the day when an object drops down into the grass. No one knows what it is leading to discussions of what it could be and where it might have come from.
The spider decides to open an exhibit to display this object. By the end of the story, the story is a wordless, mild commentary about litter.
The illustrations are done in pencil giving them a soft look except for the fallen objects which are done in color. This is very effective in this story.
