Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-2-Peter, Archie, and Amy, the beloved characters from Ezra Jack Keats's picture books, are back in a beginning-reader adventure. Mikey, the classroom hamster, escapes while being put into his cage and takes off through the nooks and crannies of the classroom. Peter and Archie eventually get the idea of making a trail of food from the coat closet where the animal is hiding back to his cage. Unfortunately, all of the problem solving that results in the hamster's recovery is provided by the two boys. Full-page color illustrations with cut-paper details effectively portray the three African-American children and their school surroundings. A pleasant addition to easy-reader shelves.-Lisa Smith, Lindenhurst Memorial Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In these books "based on the characters created by Ezra Jack Keats," collage effects that look sprayed-on are a pathetic nod to the originator. Otherwise, there's no resemblance between these plotless, lifeless, easy readers and Keats's vibrant picture books. It will be a snowy day in hell when the likes of "Arf! Arf! barked Willie. Meow! went the cat" convince a child that reading is worth learning. From HORN BOOK Fall 2001, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
