The ice cream king

PreS-Gr 1-Accompanied by his agreeable mom, Teddy Jones believes that his dreams have come true when he enters Thrill Chill ice cream shop. He takes power in the message that he can choose anything he wants and assumes the self-proclaimed role of the Ice Cream King. Immediately, his castle shines with delectable varieties of the creamy treat, and his surroundings reflect his sweet tooth's wildest cravings. Airy, cheerful spreads convey each tasty delight as Teddy slides down Whipped Cream Lane and fishes for nuts and cherries in a sailboat on an ice cream sea. The energetic narrative abruptly changes focus when the child realizes there is no one to share in his riches. Bouncy rhyming text clips along as Teddy's imaginative world builds. "I blast off in my spaceship/up to the ice cream moon./I zoom past ice cream meteors./I'm glad I have my spoon!" Changing emotions are reflected through shifting hues as the soft colors on lots of white space in the opening pages transform into full spreads of vibrant color. The original colors return as Teddy's life becomes a welcome reality once again. The message may be one-dimensional, but this feel-good journey maintains its sweetness, without being saccharine.-Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Teddy can have anything he wants in the ice cream shop, "just for me." While deciding what to order, he envisions a pastel-hued ice cream land where he reigns as king. Singsongy text touts the joys of not sharing--until Teddy finds himself alone and decides that two spoons are better than one. The slight story is enhanced by creatively composed illustrations. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.