Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Just right for board book, How Kind! by Mary Murphy received a starred review from PW upon its original publication in 2002: "Streamlined compositions complement the straightforward message in this circular tale in which one good deed hatches another (and another and another)." (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Using the theme that kindness begets kindness, Murphy depicts barnyard animals exchanging gifts. The boldly inked outlines filled with bright washes of color perfectly capture the friends' joyous expressions as they surprise one another with presents. The cycle begins when hen gives pig an egg. Pig replies, "How kind!" Then he gives a carrot to rabbit, who gives flowers to cow, who gives milk to cat, who plays with dog, who scratches pig's back with a stick. The thoughtfulness comes full circle when pig presents hen with her newly hatched chick. Although the story line is a bit simplistic and didactic, most children will appreciate the repetition and eye-catching illustrations in this easy-to-read book.-Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA (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
The artwork takes center stage in this cheerful circular tale. Bold, black lines emphasize the simple shapes of the animal characters in the illustrations, which use only three or four bright, flat colors per page. When Hen gives Pig an egg, he is so taken with her kind act that he decides to do a good deed for Rabbit, who in turn is kind to Cow, and so on. From HORN BOOK Fall 2002, (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.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Good deeds beget good deeds in this graphically bold and bright celebration of benevolence. Hen gives Pig an egg, a kindness that inspires him to give a carrot to Rabbit, who in turn picks flowers for Cow, and so on until Pig returns the initial favor by presenting Hen with a chick-hatched from her original egg. The clever turn of events leaves readers wondering if Hen has hornswoggled Pig into doing the work of hatching her egg, or if she is simply thanking him for the gift? The youngest readers and listeners will not be distracted by such concerns and will enjoy shouting out "How kind!" as it's repeated throughout the text; they may also be inspired to emulate the animals and take turns doing one another kindnesses. Electric pink, sky blue, yellow, orange, purple, and tennis-ball-green ink-and-wash illustrations outlined in heavy black add to the cheer and are complemented by the loose yet readable typeface, created by and named for Murphy (Koala and the Flower, not reviewed, etc.). For just plain storytime fun or for introducing the concept of karma, this is a winner. (Picture book. 2-4)
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