Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Originally published in German in 1990 as The Animal with the Sparkling Eyes, this is the tale of Rikki, who wishes for a pet that can fulfill her every wish, one that will be "soft and cuddly" but also "quick and strong," able to fly, swim, and change size to be "so small, it could hide anywhere," and "so big it could protect me." Her parents express disbelief that such a pet exists, but that night Rikki is woken by just such a creature. Resembling a hippo with a unicorn's horn; human limbs; friendly, long-lashed eyes; and wings and a tail that appear as needed, Rikki's pet takes her on an evening of adventures on land, in the air, and under the sea. Like a responsive and caring adult, the monster knows how to be just exciting enough, by turns roughhousing with Rikki and standing guard over her. The playful, slightly surreal abstract art is by Czech illustrator Pacovská, winner of a Hans Christian Andersen Medal for her lifetime contributions to children's literature. Accented with shiny silver quadrangles, the rich, saturated greens, blues, and reds contribute to the fantastical feeling of the book. By contrast, Schwarz's text is simple and straightforward, allowing young readers to interpret the story as they wish and making it, despite the presence of a nighttime monster, not too overwhelming for even younger audiences. VERDICT An attractive and desirable addition for most collections.-Laura Simeon, Open Window School Library, WA © Copyright 2016. 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
Rikki wishes she had a pet that could fly, swim, etc. Her parents discourage her fantasy, but after Rikki gets in bed, the pet becomes real to her; an (imagined) adventure lacking in suspense ensues. The surreal illustrations--with bold colors, blocky shapes, and bits of silver foil--are inventive, but the emptily fantastic goings-on don't earn them. (c) Copyright 2016. 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.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The book jacket's depiction of a Leonardo da Vinci-esque creature transporting a child across an emerald sky signals a highly original approach to a pitch for a pet. Sporting a scarlet bowler hat, the cylindrically shaped girl describes her requirements: cuddly but strong; adept at flying and swimming; capable of shrinking and growing on demand. The dialogue indicates that she is talking with her parents. They may be offstage, but it is also possible that what seems to be the monster/pet on the facing page (and elsewhere) is a dreamy composite of the parentsa provocative ambiguity. Soon after Rikki crawls into bed, a voice invites her to play hide-and-seek. The ensuing nocturnal adventure involves the rhinoceroslike creature's fulfillment of her wishes. Composed of a patchwork of foil and saturated colors (especially red and green) and replete with a tusk, wings, and stylish shoes, the monster continuously morphs, expanding at the climax to escape a spiky sea ogre. While the textured scenes are mysterious and quirky, and the protagonist is anxious at times, the award-winning, Czech-born collaborators balance tension with joy: "Rikki's heart beats faster, full of excitement." Girl and pet have fully bonded by the conclusion, when the child asks the monster to stay "please, and always protect me." This title feeds and calms listeners' imaginations in the most delightful way. (Picture book.4-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
