Karen GoatKeeper's Blog, page 5
June 3, 2025
"Pete the Cat: Pete's Big Lunch", "Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry" and "Plume"
Cats Rule this week!
Pete the Cat: Pete's Big Lunch
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: James Dean
Pete puts together a big, strange sandwich only to find it is bigger than his appetite. What is he to do?
The illustrations are typical for Pete the Cat.
Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry
3 stars
Author: Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Michelle Berg
The story is good about a dog that escapes his house and a cat dumped out to fend for herself.
Everything in the illustrations is made up of words shaped into the objects. A small cloud is: "Just a tiny puff, a swirl of frosting cloud."
These do add to the story at times. Other times, this is distracting, almost annoying.
The illustrations for the cat, crows and dog are paper decoupage, simple and nice.
Plume
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Isabelle Simler
This book was originally printed in France. It has very little text, mostly the names of the birds the feathers are from.
The feathers are so delicate. They look real enough to pick up.
Underneath the birds and feathers appear ends of a black tail, a nose, a silhouette of a black cat. It's fun to spot these.
Pete the Cat: Pete's Big Lunch
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: James Dean
Pete puts together a big, strange sandwich only to find it is bigger than his appetite. What is he to do?
The illustrations are typical for Pete the Cat.
Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry
3 stars
Author: Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Michelle Berg
The story is good about a dog that escapes his house and a cat dumped out to fend for herself.
Everything in the illustrations is made up of words shaped into the objects. A small cloud is: "Just a tiny puff, a swirl of frosting cloud."
These do add to the story at times. Other times, this is distracting, almost annoying.
The illustrations for the cat, crows and dog are paper decoupage, simple and nice.
Plume
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Isabelle Simler
This book was originally printed in France. It has very little text, mostly the names of the birds the feathers are from.
The feathers are so delicate. They look real enough to pick up.
Underneath the birds and feathers appear ends of a black tail, a nose, a silhouette of a black cat. It's fun to spot these.
May 30, 2025
"Animal Alphabet Antics", "anything" and "Plants That Never Ever Bloom"
An eclectic collection this week.
Plants That Never Ever Bloom
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Ruth Heller
Although some of the plants in this book are not really considered plants, this is a wonderful look at plants that do not make flowers. It covers the fungi (mushrooms), mosses (lichens and liverwort) and gymnosperms (pines).
The author is a botanical illustrator so the illustrations are superb. There are other creatures included in them making them more like what you would see when you found these plants. My one regret is that the different ones are not named.
Anywhere
5 stars
Author: Rebecca Stead
Illustrator: Gracey Zhang
A little girl has just moved with her father to a new apartment. It's her birthday and the zero birthday of the apartment. She can have three wishes.
The illustrations are bare bone line drawings with color added. Even though they are so sparse, they work well with the text.
Animal Alphabet Antics
3 stars
Author/Illustrator: Pat Lampe
This is an illustrated book, not a picture book for young children.
For older readers the book is a fun look at paint colors, dances and fantastic poses of animals. It goes through the alphabet with a description somewhat alliterative and has an alliterative saying for each letter.
The biggest points of interests are the various colors (zaffir, teal, heliotrope etc.) and dances (gigue, elance, ye ye, volta etc.).
Plants That Never Ever Bloom
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Ruth Heller
Although some of the plants in this book are not really considered plants, this is a wonderful look at plants that do not make flowers. It covers the fungi (mushrooms), mosses (lichens and liverwort) and gymnosperms (pines).
The author is a botanical illustrator so the illustrations are superb. There are other creatures included in them making them more like what you would see when you found these plants. My one regret is that the different ones are not named.
Anywhere
5 stars
Author: Rebecca Stead
Illustrator: Gracey Zhang
A little girl has just moved with her father to a new apartment. It's her birthday and the zero birthday of the apartment. She can have three wishes.
The illustrations are bare bone line drawings with color added. Even though they are so sparse, they work well with the text.
Animal Alphabet Antics
3 stars
Author/Illustrator: Pat Lampe
This is an illustrated book, not a picture book for young children.
For older readers the book is a fun look at paint colors, dances and fantastic poses of animals. It goes through the alphabet with a description somewhat alliterative and has an alliterative saying for each letter.
The biggest points of interests are the various colors (zaffir, teal, heliotrope etc.) and dances (gigue, elance, ye ye, volta etc.).
May 27, 2025
"Goose", "Little Beauty" and "The Knight and the Dragon"
All of these were fun and interesting to read. As I prepare for a course I'm teaching (Creating Picture Books), I'm taking a look at different text and illustration styles.
Goose
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Molly Bang
During a storm a goose egg is blown down a groundhog hole where it hatches leaving the gosling thinking it is a groundhog. As it grows up, it realizes it is different and lonely with unexpected results.
The illustrations are lovely. In many places the story is told through the pictures with minimal text.
Little Beauty
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Anthony Browne
A gorilla has learned to use sign language and can get many things. Except the gorilla is all alone and wants a friend.
Little Beauty is a kitten and becomes the gorilla's friend. They have lots of fun, but one incident alarms the keepers as the gorilla is so much bigger and stronger.
The illustrations stretch the imagination about the gorilla. The kitten is very cute.
The Knight and the Dragon
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Knights and dragons are supposed to fight. Or are they? This little knight thinks so and reads up on how to fight a dragon. The dragon thinks so and reads up on how to fight a knight.
Then comes the fight. The ending is different. The book is humorous which is enhanced by the illustrations.
Goose
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Molly Bang
During a storm a goose egg is blown down a groundhog hole where it hatches leaving the gosling thinking it is a groundhog. As it grows up, it realizes it is different and lonely with unexpected results.
The illustrations are lovely. In many places the story is told through the pictures with minimal text.
Little Beauty
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Anthony Browne
A gorilla has learned to use sign language and can get many things. Except the gorilla is all alone and wants a friend.
Little Beauty is a kitten and becomes the gorilla's friend. They have lots of fun, but one incident alarms the keepers as the gorilla is so much bigger and stronger.
The illustrations stretch the imagination about the gorilla. The kitten is very cute.
The Knight and the Dragon
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Knights and dragons are supposed to fight. Or are they? This little knight thinks so and reads up on how to fight a dragon. The dragon thinks so and reads up on how to fight a knight.
Then comes the fight. The ending is different. The book is humorous which is enhanced by the illustrations.
May 23, 2025
"A Giraffe and a Half", "Tea Rex" and "The Gardener"
A variety of events from the hopeful to the fantastic to the preposterous.
The Gardener
5 stars
Author: Sarah Stewart
Illustrator: David Small
Lydia Grace is young during the Depression. After her father loses his job, she is sent to stay with her Uncle Jim. He is a baker in the city and never smiles. Every text is in the form of a letter.
Gardening with her Grandmother has been very important to Lydia Grace. She arrives in the city with a portfolio of seeds. Soon many places are filled with plants blooming and growing. Is it enough to make Uncle Jim smile?
The illustrations reflect the 1930s in style and coloring. The vehicles and clothes are so typical of those times.
Tea Rex
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Molly Idle
How do you hold a successful tea party? The text gives you instructions from how to greet your special guest to holding the tea to helping your guest depart. All is very calm, formal and elegant.
Except the special guest is a T. rex. The delight is in the illustrations as this guest tries to be the perfect guest. Unfortunately this guest has difficulty fitting through the door, sitting on the chairs, and is far too large for the tea and food being offered. These illustrations are humorous.
A Giraffe and a Half
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
This additive rhyming text is based on a preposterous premise. It is a list of shenanigans to stretch the imagination. It would make a great read aloud book.
The illustrations are line drawings and make the preposterous seem almost possible.
The Gardener
5 stars
Author: Sarah Stewart
Illustrator: David Small
Lydia Grace is young during the Depression. After her father loses his job, she is sent to stay with her Uncle Jim. He is a baker in the city and never smiles. Every text is in the form of a letter.
Gardening with her Grandmother has been very important to Lydia Grace. She arrives in the city with a portfolio of seeds. Soon many places are filled with plants blooming and growing. Is it enough to make Uncle Jim smile?
The illustrations reflect the 1930s in style and coloring. The vehicles and clothes are so typical of those times.
Tea Rex
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Molly Idle
How do you hold a successful tea party? The text gives you instructions from how to greet your special guest to holding the tea to helping your guest depart. All is very calm, formal and elegant.
Except the special guest is a T. rex. The delight is in the illustrations as this guest tries to be the perfect guest. Unfortunately this guest has difficulty fitting through the door, sitting on the chairs, and is far too large for the tea and food being offered. These illustrations are humorous.
A Giraffe and a Half
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
This additive rhyming text is based on a preposterous premise. It is a list of shenanigans to stretch the imagination. It would make a great read aloud book.
The illustrations are line drawings and make the preposterous seem almost possible.
May 20, 2025
"Noodles on a Bicycle", "Winnie the Pooh: Roo's Big Nature Day" and "Sea Rex"
This week was an eclectic mix.
Noodles on a Bicycle
5 stars
Author: Kyo Maclear
Illustrator: Gracey Zhang
This book is based on childhood memories of a girl growing up in Tokyo. Everyday men would set off on their bicycles balancing towers of ceramic bowls filled with noodles people ordered for lunch. They rode down the streets to deliver these to the various offices and other businesses.
It would be a good introduction to learning to stack and balance stacks to carry them.
The illustrations are colored line drawings showing the children and buildings of Tokyo in the 1950s. Note the curled tail on the cat as this is a Japanese breed.
Sea Rex
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Molly Idle
This family goes to the beach with a pet T. rex. Other dinosaurs are at the beach for a day of swimming and having fun.
Much of the story is in the illustrations. Some of them are humorous. All of the story and illustrations are pure fantasy.
Winnie the Pooh: Roo's Big Nature Day
4 stars
Author: K. Emily Hutta
Illustrator: Disney Storybook Artists
Roo is bored and getting in Kanga's way. She sends him outside, but he is still bored. Then Tigger arrives and they are off to the creek to play and explore.
The illustrations are classic Disney Winnie the Pooh ones. They are colorful, detailed and fun.
Noodles on a Bicycle
5 stars
Author: Kyo Maclear
Illustrator: Gracey Zhang
This book is based on childhood memories of a girl growing up in Tokyo. Everyday men would set off on their bicycles balancing towers of ceramic bowls filled with noodles people ordered for lunch. They rode down the streets to deliver these to the various offices and other businesses.
It would be a good introduction to learning to stack and balance stacks to carry them.
The illustrations are colored line drawings showing the children and buildings of Tokyo in the 1950s. Note the curled tail on the cat as this is a Japanese breed.
Sea Rex
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Molly Idle
This family goes to the beach with a pet T. rex. Other dinosaurs are at the beach for a day of swimming and having fun.
Much of the story is in the illustrations. Some of them are humorous. All of the story and illustrations are pure fantasy.
Winnie the Pooh: Roo's Big Nature Day
4 stars
Author: K. Emily Hutta
Illustrator: Disney Storybook Artists
Roo is bored and getting in Kanga's way. She sends him outside, but he is still bored. Then Tigger arrives and they are off to the creek to play and explore.
The illustrations are classic Disney Winnie the Pooh ones. They are colorful, detailed and fun.
May 16, 2025
"Dragons, Dragons" and "The Grapes of Math"
One takes a look at fantastical creatures in literature. The other pushes the mind to see patterns in adding and subtracting to improve your mental math skills.
The Grapes of Math
5 stars
Author: Greg Tang
Illustrator: Harry Briggs
How fast can you add up several numbers? This is without counting the objects one-by-one. The objects vary from grapes to fish, but each challenges the reader to group and add. The text is a simple rhyme to give clues to faster grouping.
The illustrations are colorful and easy to see the possible groupings.
Dragons, Dragons and Other Creatures That Never Were
4 stars
Each creature is taken from some literary passage. The quotation describes the creature. The sources vary from Anne McCaffrey to poets to the Bible and Hindu texts.
The illustrations are collages from patterned paper. Some of these creatures are really strange.
The Grapes of Math
5 stars
Author: Greg Tang
Illustrator: Harry Briggs
How fast can you add up several numbers? This is without counting the objects one-by-one. The objects vary from grapes to fish, but each challenges the reader to group and add. The text is a simple rhyme to give clues to faster grouping.
The illustrations are colorful and easy to see the possible groupings.
Dragons, Dragons and Other Creatures That Never Were
4 stars
Each creature is taken from some literary passage. The quotation describes the creature. The sources vary from Anne McCaffrey to poets to the Bible and Hindu texts.
The illustrations are collages from patterned paper. Some of these creatures are really strange.
May 13, 2025
"Beyond the Ridge", "Until You Find the Sun" and "The Old Woman and the Red Pumpkin"
How do you deal with life's problems? These explore some ways.
The Old Woman and the Red Pumpkin
4 stars
Author (Translator): Betsy Bang
Illustrator: Molly Garrett Bang
This is an old Bengali Folk Tale. It's similar to other tales of outwitting dangerous foes.
The old woman goes to her daughter's house. On the way she is threatened by a jackal, a tiger and a bear. These are waiting for her return to eat her.
The illustrations are dated, stereotyped in reference to the people. They do show many plants and animals of the area.
Until You Find the Sun
5 stars
Author: Maryam Hassan
Illustrator: Anna Wilson
A little girl loves sitting with her grandfather to listen to his tales. Her home is in a warm, sunny place. One day she moves far away to a cold place during the winter.
Everything is different. The only bright spot now are her phone calls with her grandfather. How can she make her new place home? A bright yellow coat might be the answer.
The illustrations are beautifully done. They sweep the reader into the world of the story. Those for the warm place are bright and cheerful. The winter scenes are dull as she seeks a new sun.
Beyond the Ridge
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Paul Goble
All living things live for a time, then die. This is a fact of life. An old woman lies dying as her family sits around her.
The woman goes on a journey beyond the ridge in accordance to beliefs of the Plains Indians. Her family grieves as they follow tradition in parting with their dear one.
The illustrations are beautiful watercolor. The illustrator has a passage in the beginning of the book describing how he creates these images in the way he does. They very much reflect Indian culture, the place they live.
The Old Woman and the Red Pumpkin
4 stars
Author (Translator): Betsy Bang
Illustrator: Molly Garrett Bang
This is an old Bengali Folk Tale. It's similar to other tales of outwitting dangerous foes.
The old woman goes to her daughter's house. On the way she is threatened by a jackal, a tiger and a bear. These are waiting for her return to eat her.
The illustrations are dated, stereotyped in reference to the people. They do show many plants and animals of the area.
Until You Find the Sun
5 stars
Author: Maryam Hassan
Illustrator: Anna Wilson
A little girl loves sitting with her grandfather to listen to his tales. Her home is in a warm, sunny place. One day she moves far away to a cold place during the winter.
Everything is different. The only bright spot now are her phone calls with her grandfather. How can she make her new place home? A bright yellow coat might be the answer.
The illustrations are beautifully done. They sweep the reader into the world of the story. Those for the warm place are bright and cheerful. The winter scenes are dull as she seeks a new sun.
Beyond the Ridge
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Paul Goble
All living things live for a time, then die. This is a fact of life. An old woman lies dying as her family sits around her.
The woman goes on a journey beyond the ridge in accordance to beliefs of the Plains Indians. Her family grieves as they follow tradition in parting with their dear one.
The illustrations are beautiful watercolor. The illustrator has a passage in the beginning of the book describing how he creates these images in the way he does. They very much reflect Indian culture, the place they live.
May 9, 2025
"One Bean", "The Life Cycle of a Sunflower" and "A Dandelion's Life"
Spring brings gardening and these books lead into that.
One Bean
5 stars
Author: Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Megan Halsey
This is the story of a science or gardening project. The two children plant a bean and watch it grow. The text is easily followed for readers to do the same.
The illustrations look like paper dolls. They look simple, but are very appropriate for the book.
The Life Cycle of a Sunflower
4 stars
Author: Philip Parker
Illustrator: Jackie Harland
The story of the sunflower is well done. Each page has a good explanation about what is happening to the sunflower or its seed at that time. The difficulty is with the experiment at the end. A sunflower will not grow well in a flower pot, at least not the kind the story is about.
The illustrations are well done. They show many of the traits of a sunflower and the bugs that visit the flower heads.
A Dandelion's Life
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: John Himmelman
Dandelions are considered weeds. In truth, they were deliberately brought here from Europe as a food plant. The plants make an interesting study.
The text is short and geared for younger readers although it does introduce several creatures and concepts probably new to them. The plant in the text is unusual as it has only one flower head.
The illustrations are up close, an ant's eye view of the plant as it grows, flowers and send off seeds. The many creatures shown are not identified, but could be used to encourage a child to find out more.
One Bean
5 stars
Author: Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Megan Halsey
This is the story of a science or gardening project. The two children plant a bean and watch it grow. The text is easily followed for readers to do the same.
The illustrations look like paper dolls. They look simple, but are very appropriate for the book.
The Life Cycle of a Sunflower
4 stars
Author: Philip Parker
Illustrator: Jackie Harland
The story of the sunflower is well done. Each page has a good explanation about what is happening to the sunflower or its seed at that time. The difficulty is with the experiment at the end. A sunflower will not grow well in a flower pot, at least not the kind the story is about.
The illustrations are well done. They show many of the traits of a sunflower and the bugs that visit the flower heads.
A Dandelion's Life
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: John Himmelman
Dandelions are considered weeds. In truth, they were deliberately brought here from Europe as a food plant. The plants make an interesting study.
The text is short and geared for younger readers although it does introduce several creatures and concepts probably new to them. The plant in the text is unusual as it has only one flower head.
The illustrations are up close, an ant's eye view of the plant as it grows, flowers and send off seeds. The many creatures shown are not identified, but could be used to encourage a child to find out more.
May 6, 2025
"Towed by Toad", "Diary of a Fly" and "Is Your Mama a Llama?"
More animal characters this week to provide fun reading.
Towed by Toad
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Jashar Awan
This is a fun book. The illustrations are really a highlight of the story. Toad is in such a hurry to help others with car problems he doesn't even stop for meals. But things can go awry even for Toad.
Diary of a Fly
5 stars
Author: Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Harry Bliss
There are three books in this set, each about one of the friends: worm, spider and fly.
The book has lots of facts about flies in it. That might sound dull, but the story is fun.
The illustrations are like the creatures, but with additives like Fly's hair ribbon and Worm's cap. Some are humorous.
The book may not leave you liking flies, but you will have a better understanding of them.
Is Your Mama a Llama?
5 stars
Author: Deborah Guarino
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
This is for a young child. The baby llama is going around to all the other baby animals asking if their mama is a llama, which isn't the case as the fun facts about each reveal.
The illustrations are cute and colorful.
Towed by Toad
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Jashar Awan
This is a fun book. The illustrations are really a highlight of the story. Toad is in such a hurry to help others with car problems he doesn't even stop for meals. But things can go awry even for Toad.
Diary of a Fly
5 stars
Author: Doreen Cronin
Illustrator: Harry Bliss
There are three books in this set, each about one of the friends: worm, spider and fly.
The book has lots of facts about flies in it. That might sound dull, but the story is fun.
The illustrations are like the creatures, but with additives like Fly's hair ribbon and Worm's cap. Some are humorous.
The book may not leave you liking flies, but you will have a better understanding of them.
Is Your Mama a Llama?
5 stars
Author: Deborah Guarino
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
This is for a young child. The baby llama is going around to all the other baby animals asking if their mama is a llama, which isn't the case as the fun facts about each reveal.
The illustrations are cute and colorful.
May 2, 2025
"Storm in the Night", "I Live in a Tree Trunk" and "A House in the Sky"
Where do we and other creatures live?
Storm in the Night
4 stars
Author: Mary Stolz
Illustrator: Pat Cummings
Thomas and his grandfather are alone in the house when the lights go out because of a thunderstorm. They spend the evening watching the storm, comforting their cat Ringo and telling a story.
The illustrations are dark reflecting the two being stranded in the dark through the storm. This allows the images to use light very effectively in highlighting the people and objects in the house.
I Live in a Tree Trunk
4 stars
Author: Meg Fleming
Illustrator: Brandon James Scott
Animals live in many places. Some live in trees or tree trunks. Others live in burrows. So many places. This lets you see where many of them do live.
The illustrations are interesting, almost like collage, almost like paint. Each creature is recognizable, although many will be unfamiliar. All of the creatures are in the frontispiece and backpiece listed according to type of home and their name. This allows young readers to try to name the creature in the book, then look it up.
A House in the Sky
5 stars
Author: Steve Jenkins
Illustrator: Robbin Gourley
This nonfiction book introduces many of the places, some familiar and some surprising, where creatures live. There is a simple text with the picture. On the side is a short text giving the name of the creature and something about it.
The illustrations are watercolors giving them a soft, light look. The creatures are easily recognizable.
Storm in the Night
4 stars
Author: Mary Stolz
Illustrator: Pat Cummings
Thomas and his grandfather are alone in the house when the lights go out because of a thunderstorm. They spend the evening watching the storm, comforting their cat Ringo and telling a story.
The illustrations are dark reflecting the two being stranded in the dark through the storm. This allows the images to use light very effectively in highlighting the people and objects in the house.
I Live in a Tree Trunk
4 stars
Author: Meg Fleming
Illustrator: Brandon James Scott
Animals live in many places. Some live in trees or tree trunks. Others live in burrows. So many places. This lets you see where many of them do live.
The illustrations are interesting, almost like collage, almost like paint. Each creature is recognizable, although many will be unfamiliar. All of the creatures are in the frontispiece and backpiece listed according to type of home and their name. This allows young readers to try to name the creature in the book, then look it up.
A House in the Sky
5 stars
Author: Steve Jenkins
Illustrator: Robbin Gourley
This nonfiction book introduces many of the places, some familiar and some surprising, where creatures live. There is a simple text with the picture. On the side is a short text giving the name of the creature and something about it.
The illustrations are watercolors giving them a soft, light look. The creatures are easily recognizable.
