kangaroos

The Purple Kangaroo

| Tasha

The Purple Kangaroo by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Peter Brown

Join in a silly romp of a book because you are invited by a mind-reading monkey.  He can read YOUR mind.  Close your eyes and think of something.  Then say it out loud and look into the monkey’s eyes.  Did you think of a purple kangaroo?  No?  Well monkey bets he can figure out what you’re thinking about next!

This book is pure fun.   Black’s writing is done in text bubbles, carrying the story forward at a fast pace.  The monkey is funny, irreverent and the story he tells about the purple kangaroo is so off-the-wall.  Brown’s illustrations add to the fun.  Who could ever forget the picture of the purple kangaroo blowing an enormous rainbow bubble-gum bubble out of his nose?  The humor will work for slightly older children than most picture books, making this the ideal book to take on a school visit to second and third graders.

Guaranteed to get classes laughing, this is one to share that is sure to delight.  Appropriate for ages 5-9.

Reviewed from copy received from publisher.

Also reviewed by Where the Best Books Are.

Check out this video of Michael Ian Black reading the book:

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The Duck and the Kangaroo

| Tasha

The Duck and the Kangaroo by Edward Lear, illustrated by Jane Wattenberg

Combine Lear’s classic poem with funky, modern collages and you get a winner of a picture book!  Duck is bored living in his pond.  He wishes that he could travel the world the way Kangaroo does so he asks Kangaroo to carry him on his back.  But Kangaroo has one major concern about the plan, Duck’s wet, cold feet would be awfully uncomfortable.  Duck has already solved this problem by getting knitted socks and a cape to keep himself warm.  So off they hop, the two friends around the world three times.

Lear’s poem would make a great pairing with his other more famous The Owl and the Pussycat.  This poem is silly, wild and rather surreal, which matches well with Wattenberg’s illustrations.  Her collages incorporate Lear’s own art and that of others, creating a cohesive and fascinating blend of old and new, all in vibrant color.  Duck’s wide-eyed view of the world enhances the humor of the poem, as do other small touches like the rainbow of knitted socks perfect for webbed feet.

A wild and funny book that will find a niche of eager readers looking for something joyous and surreal.  Just hop along with the story and you will find a real treasure of a friendship by the end.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from library copy.

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Pouch!

| Tasha

Pouch! by David Ezra Stein

Joey had lived in his mother’s pouch his whole life, until one day he decided he wanted to hop.  Two hops later, he meets a bee in the tall grass and with a yell of “Pouch!” returns to his mother’s pouch.  Three hops onto the hill, he meets a rabbit and once again returns to his mother’s pouch.  Four hops into the sandy hollow, he meets a bird and flees back again.  Five hops to the pasture fence, and he meets another baby kangaroo!  Now what to do!

This is a delightful story of a youngster who wants to explore but just isn’t quite ready to leave his mother’s side yet.  Stein’s art here is childlike and simple, done in fluid watercolors and deep colors.  His text is also simple, with great repeating phrases and a rhythm that is natural and fun. 

Ideal for the youngest listeners, this book would be super for a toddler story time where the youngsters could hop the right number of hops and run back.  Appropriate for ages 1-3.

Reviewed from copy received from publisher.