Amy Shepherd
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Lost. Found
The attention to detail and the expressions displayed on the animals' faces are superb. A fun addition to any picture book collection.—Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE
A bear's red wool scarf is carried off by a strong gust of wind ("Lost"). Two quarrelsome raccoons spy the scarf lying in the snow ("Found"); they get into a tiff and run off squabbling, leaving the scarf behind ("Lost"). Next, a beaver finds it and dons the scarf as headgear…until it's snagged by a low-hanging branch and lost again. With one of the two title words on most pages (there are also some well-placed wordless pages), this effectively paced story plays out in Cordell's lively but spare pen-and-ink and watercolor pictures (occasional silly sound effects included). The book invites participation, and young listeners will quickly catch on to the narrative pattern. The scarf is found and lost five more times by various woodland creatures who tug, pull, squeeze, swing on, jump on, and brawl over it. It's at this point that the rightful owner re-enters the story: the bear finds the scarf completely unraveled but doesn't lose hope. Along with some contrite-looking critters, the bear gathers the yarn and knits a new scarf, one that brings everyone together
The Little Snowplow
Reminiscent of The Little Engine That Could, this story is a modern take on a timeless message.
Lenny & Lucy
A wonderfully creative story of resilience and friendship.—Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DEPeter isn’t optimistic about moving to a house in the woods with his father and faithful dog. An artfully restrained text never explains why they’ve moved, but there’s a sense of melancholy in the father’s stance and in the woods’ bareness. As protection again the “unfriendly” forest, Peter fashions the eponymous Lenny out of pillows, blankets, and string. Subtly evoking Sendak’s Mickey, Peter “pushed and pulled and kneaded the wrapped-up pillows like dough”; he then leaves Lenny to guard a nearby bridge to “keep the dark woods on the other side where they belong.” Although this makes Peter feel safer, he worries that Lenny is lonely, so he makes him a companion, Lucy. In the daytime, Lenny and Lucy watch over Peter’s solitary play, but something is missing. Enter Millie
Little Elliot, Big Family
Let's hope for more stories about this adorable polka-dotted elephant and his loving pal.—Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE
When his mouse friend goes off to a family reunion (including “parents, grandparents, 15 brothers, 19 sisters, 25 aunts, 27 uncles, and 147 cousins”), little pastel-polka-dotted elephant Elliot (Little Elliot, Big City, rev. 11/14) begins to feel lonely: “The house was quiet. And empty.” He goes for a walk but everywhere sees families together
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