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 School Library Journal Review
Toddler-PreS-Charlie, a rabbit, tries to fish with his friends in this latest in the series. Lulu, an owlet, and Oliver, an elephant, are fishing successfully, while Charlie struggles to catch anything but sticks. After collecting a pile of sticks, he opts to make a small raft instead. Charlie's sweet friends join him in this new game and decide to have a boat race. Unfortunately, Charlie's oversize boat comes in last, and he's feeling down about being the worst at everything. But Oliver suddenly has an idea to highlight Charlie's talent and skills. This gentle tale of friendship will help children realize that they don't have to be perfect at everything and how important supportive friends can be. The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations convey a softness that matches the text. VERDICT A great addition where the rest of the series is popular or for libraries that are looking to expand their friendship offerings.-Brooke Newberry, La Crosse Public Library, WI © 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 Kirkus Book Review
Everyone needs a little help from their friends.Charlie, Lulu, and Oliver (bunny, owl, and elephant, respectively) are young toddlerlike animals who love to play together. This third book of the serieswith Oliver's Tree (2014) and Lulu's Party (2015)finds the friends out fishing on the river. Poor Charlie is trying his best for a catch like the ones his friends effortlessly achieve but is only managing to land sticks. Glum at first, he is eventually inspired to switch gears and build a little boat out of some of his sticks. His friends follow suit, but unfortunately, in the race that follows, Charlie's boat comes in last, and he feels unsuccessful again. Is there any way he can cheer up? "I have a grand idea," offers Oliver. Minimal, simple text, just right for young readers and listeners, straightforwardly relates the story, while Chase's soft and appealing watercolor-and-ink illustrations, charming and succinct, capture the joys and frustrations of childhood with gentle humor and precision. Children will be drawn in by the bonhomie of the tale and the support and playfulness of the friends as values of creativity, resilience, patience, helpfulness, and compassion are emphasized without a trace of didacticism. A pleasant tale with realistic and lovable characters successfully delivers subtle lessons couched in warmth and playfulness. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
