Review by New York Times Review
Three friends fish on a meandering river. Oliver, an elephant, nabs a fish with his trunk; Lulu, an owl, uses her claws; but Charlie, a rabbit, can't catch any with his pole. They race boats made of sticks; Charlie's loses. His pals cheer him up by building a raftthey all fish from. This is Chase's third book with these adorably rosy-cheeked, mismatched creatures who overcome snafus and stay friends. With creamy watercolors, loose pen lines and easy storytelling, her outdoorsy life lessons sidle up as gently as a summer breeze. THERE MIGHT BE LOBSTERS By Carolyn Crimi. Illustrated by Laurel Molk. 32 pp. Candlewick. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 3 to 7) In Crimi's reassuring story, a little black-and-white dog, Sukie, has an ocean-size fear of the beach: the big sandy stairs, the big salty waves and - especially - lobsters. Her owner, a jaunty tankini-clad girl named Eleanor, tries to be encouraging, but soon she's diving into the water herself, leaving Sukie alone on the sand. When a wave carries offSukie's stuffed monkey, the pup swallows her worries and swims to the rescue. Molk's loose-limbed art in salt-water-taffy hues sets a sunny-day mood perfect for conquering bugaboos. THE SECRET OF BLACK ROCK Written and illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton. 40 pp. Flying Eye. $16.95. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8) Not many maritime adventure stories feature a plucky girl heroine. Todd-Stanton throws in a monster legend and gives this trippy book an ecological message to boot: Erin sneaks onto her mom's fishing boat to check out the ominous Black Rock for herself; after a scary fall overboard she learns the rock-creature is not only friendly, he's home to an array of sea life. So she has to stop the townspeople from destroying him. The fast-paced story zooms ahead, but on every page the comics-style art is packed with details worth lingering over. HATTIE & HUDSON Written and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. 32 pp. Candlewick. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8) Hattie is one lucky girl: She hops into a canoe each summer morning to explore an idyllic mountain lake. When her singing attracts a dinosaurlike monster who lives at the bottom, it turns out he's a gentle soul. They forge a connection, but the grown-ups decide to eliminate the giant creature. She concocts a clever plan to convince the town he's harmless. Van Dusen's ("The Circus Ship") sleekly painted lake is a midsummer day's dream: saturated greens, glimmering blue water and little red boats you're dying to take for a spin. TOWN IS BY THE SEA By Joanne Schwartz. Illustrated by Sydney Smith. 52 pp. Groundwood/ House of Anansi. $19.95. (Picture book; ages 5 to 9) This quietly devastating book from Schwartz ("Pinny in Summer") and Smith ("Sidewalk Flowers," "The White Cat and the Monk") stirs timeless, elemental emotions. An unnamed narrator takes us through his daily life in a picturesque, run-down seaside town in the 1950s. The boy plays and runs an errand for his mother; his father "works under the sea, deep down in the coal mines." Smith's unsettling juxtapositions - an ocean glints in the sun, men bend over in dark, smudgy mines - echo the boy's poetic resignation to his own future as a miner.
Copyright (c) The New York Times Company [June 11, 2017]
Review by Booklist Review
Young Hattie McFadden loves nothing more than paddling her red canoe as she explores the lake near her home. One morning, her joyful singing catches the attention of a mysterious, green lake creature, who surfaces, terrifying everyone on the lake. Sensing friendliness despite his enormous size, Hattie returns later and establishes a rapport with the monster, whom she dubs Hudson. When the townsfolk decide to capture the leviathan, Hudson and Hattie concoct a plan to demonstrate his kindness and value to the community. Van Dusen's distinctive gouache illustrations vividly capture the features of Maine's lake country. Hudson is depicted as a shiny, long-necked, vibrant green creature who might easily be mistaken for the Loch Ness Monster. The artwork includes multiple perspectives. Several spreads depict the creature's underwater habitat, while others provide aerial views, giving readers many details to ponder. The story's message don't judge by appearances is gently delivered in a tale just right for one-on-one sharing.--Weisman, Kay Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Hattie McFadden is a young explorer who loves canoeing on a nearby lake. As she contentedly paddles along, she hums a happy tune. The girl's cheerful singing intrigues a lonely green monster, who ventures out from his deep and dark watery lair. Curious, the gentle giant gazes into Hattie's eyes and joins in the song, "harmonizing with a low rumble." While the other townspeople react with fear and loathing, Hattie befriends the peaceful creature and names him Hudson. When a town hall meeting is organized to get rid of "the Deadly Beast," Hattie is distressed and sagely says, "If only they knew him." Together, Hattie and Hudson devise a plan to dispel misconceptions. Van Dusen's stunning illustrations offer unique perspectives, from an aerial view of Hattie first making eye contact with two glowing eyes beneath the silvery water to a vertical spread of Hudson triumphantly emerging in the sunlight with Hattie perched on his head. VERDICT This eloquent, evocative book about compassion is perfect for sparking discussions on prejudice. A sensational choice for a seasonal storytime.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ont. © Copyright 2017. 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
While canoeing on a lake, young Hattie befriends an underwater monster she names Hudson. When other boaters spot him, they panic, and later conspire to banish "the Deadly Beast," so Hattie and Hudson hatch a plan to prove his goodness. Van Dusen's shimmery gouaches command attention, but his plotting is somewhat routine and lengthy. Still, the message about being open-minded about differences is apt. (c) Copyright 2018. 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
A lanky, little explorer paddles her canoe on a lake and inadvertently sings up a huge, green beast. All the other boaters scatter in a panicked frenzy, but later that night, under a moonlit sky, Hattie McFadden returns to the middle of the still lake. Without the distraction of motor boats, the white redhead takes the time to befriend Hudson. The next day, the townsfolk meet to suggest ways to get rid of "the Deadly Beast." Dismayed, Hattie thinks, "If only they knew him." The two new friends put together a plan to convince the town of Hudson's kindness. Hattie bravely finds her voice and makes an announcement to the town: "This lake is his home, and I think he deserves to stay. Once you get to know him, I'm sure you'll agree." The glory of lakeshore life is celebrated as idyllic, with lush forests and hills and cool blue water. An undercurrent of environmentalism is present in the symbolic canoe compared to motorboats, and the message of getting to know strangers is a timely one. The gouache illustrations are filled with details that bring light and life to the pages, from each water droplet to every rolled-up sleeve. Hudson, although enormous, is drawn with expressive eyes and a lovely green hue that reflects the stars in the sky, and Van Dusen expertly takes advantage of perspective and composition to make sure readers remember at all times exactly how huge Hudson is. Outdoor enthusiasts will celebrate this brave young heroine as she schools the town on acceptance. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
