vol. 1, no. 1, p.3
The illustrations in Laurel Molk's GOOD JOB, OLIVER! (Crown Publishers, 1999; ages 2 to 8) are as cloud-like and comforting as whipped cream. It's a story about how Oliver, the littlest bunny, manages to overcome the derision of the older kids when he enters a contest to see who can grow the biggest strawberries. Needless to say, he acquits himself admirably, and proves that using your brain can help to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. This pleasing story got thumbs up from the kindergartners and first-graders, but I think its appeal would extend further in both directions.
MOLE MUSIC (Henry Holt, 1999, ages 4 to 8) is a gentle tale by David McPhail. Mole, who lives alone underground, had come to feel that something was missing from his life, when one night he saw a man playing a violin on TV. Enthralled, Mole sends away for a violin of his own, and gradually teaches himself to play it. Over the years he becomes a first-rate player, but he wonders what it would be like if people could hear his music. He thinks how nice it would be if it could touch people's hearts and melt away their anger and sadness.
What he doesn't realize is that his music is doing just that, being transmitted out into the world through an oak tree whose roots have penetrated his ceiling and which has grown over the years, as his own talent has grown.
The book is easy enough for quite young readers, but even the older ones are likely to miss what is really happening if you don't point it out to them. They will focus on the narrative and fail to notice that the illustrations are telling a different story--or at least a very important supplemental one. Even when I alerted the first- and second-graders to pay close attention to the pictures, most didn't seem to get it until I went back over the story with them, pointing out the notes rising up through the trunk of the tree, and their effect on those above ground. But we all liked the book.
I'LL SEE YOU WHEN THE MOON IS FULL by Susi Gregg Fowler, illus. by Jim Fowler. Greenwillow Books, 1994. Ages 4 to 8.
This book is a bit older than the others reviewed here, but it seemed too good to pass up. It should be ideal for any child with a parent who must make business trips away from home. In the story, the father helps his son to cope with his absence by having him watch the changes in the moon to keep track of how much time has passed. This not only suggests a clever coping mechanism, but also provides an opportunity to introduce the young child to the phases of the moon.
The book is filled with affection and humor ("I miss you so much that my hair falls out," says Daddy, scratching his bald pate. "I miss you so much that I can't go to bed on time," responds young Abe.) The children didn't seem to like this book as well as I did, but maybe I didn't do a good job of reading it. I can't see any other reason why they would be less enthusiastic about it than some of the other books. Or maybe they weren't ready for my explanation of moon phases, after all.
