Review by Booklist Review
"Kids, it's nice out--go play outside!" calls Mr. Martin, and two children rush out the door to begin a classic game of pretend. After a modest start, it quickly turns into a fantastical adventure. A flying monster (a crow) leads them from the castle (treehouse), into the path of the menacing Gourdus (a scarecrow in the pumpkin patch). A raucous battle ensues, but the power of invisibility saves the day. Their triumph is short lived, however, as there are still zombies to defeat, Martians to subdue, and prisoners to free. This all leads to a glorious mess, with tangles of hoses, loose farm animals, broken pumpkins, and unspooled toilet paper strewn about the yard. In short, it's the perfect afternoon. The text, translated from French, weaves a magical spell of make-believe, though the snazzy illustrations tell most of the story. Dubois' stylized drawings combine cross-hatching and bold pops of color that lend an old-fashioned aesthetic to the proceedings. An attractive and entertaining ode to the power of play and pretend.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Join these two imaginative children in this outdoor adventure with a Waldorf feel. When a father suggests that his child and a friend play outside, the kids bolt out the door. They explore a treehouse, garden patches, a rabbit hutch, a henhouse, and more. Imagination ignites and chaos ensues as the children enter the "lair of the giant Gourdus, the dreaded King of Pumpkins." In the children's wild imaginings, red eyes in darkened cages turn harmless penned rabbits into zombies, and a hose--imagined into a "fire-breathing snake"--helps take down "a Martian with a thousand slimy tentacles." A wheelbarrow ride that ends in a spectacular crash deprives the children of their magical powers and lands them in trouble, with, perhaps, the sad prospect of losing a lemonade treat. With spare text translated from French, the story is carried by energetic, digitally created illustrations in crayon colors with minimal shading and a solid beige background. Bursts of yellows, oranges, and reds create eye-catching illustrations perfect for storytime. DuBois uses crosshatching for the characters' skin; the father and one of the children have reddish complexions, while the other child has light tan skin. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Rollicking, imagination-inspired outdoor fun. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
