03/01/2020
PreS-K—A well-loved Mother Goose rhyme gets some modern updates by award-winning author McClintock (Emma and Julia Love Ballet). The story is told in a playful melding of picture book formatting (large, colorful illustrations with bold text) coupled with voice balloons, giving it a comic book vibe. Most of the nursery rhyme's original text is preserved, but now we get to hear the dialogue among the three naughty kittens and their long-suffering mother. When the little imps find their lost mittens, they joyfully cry out: "Watch out, pie! Here we come!" Later on they must interrupt their mother chatting on her cell phone to confess that they've now soiled said mittens. Note that McClintock's version has a much happier ending than the original, in which the mother smells "a rat close by." In this iteration, mother smells a mouse (who the reader has spied throughout the book) who is quickly asked to join the pie feast and is even invited to stay after and play. VERDICT A fun, energetic read that will make new Mother Goose fans of little ones. Recommended for purchase.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI
2019-12-08
This adaptation of a traditional English nursery rhyme features a contemporary setting, dialogue, and a small twist.
Three anthropomorphized kittens wearing conspicuous, colorful mittens (but no other clothing) are seen outside a cozy suburban house, skateboarding, playing ball, and skipping rope. A sweet scent wafts from an open window, through which a smiling cat in a dotted apron can be seen removing a pie from the oven. In their race to the door the kittens lose their mittens, of course, and the story unfolds from there. In some cases, the rhymes appear in dialogue balloons, at other times as part of the main text, both of which also include additional, original lines. Unexpected interjections add humor, as when the kittens react to the mess they've made by eating blueberry pie while wearing mittens: " ‘Ooops!' ‘Eeew!' ‘Gross!' " Created with pencil, watercolor, and gouache, McClintock's feline portraits pack plenty of personality. Big-footed and slightly round-bellied, the variously colored kittens have big eyes and sweet smiles. Mother, meanwhile, is slim and sleek, with extremely expressive whiskers. The setting is simply presented, limited to the outside of the house, inside the kitchen, and at the table. At times the characters appear against blank, softly colored backgrounds. Alternating double-page spreads, single pages, and occasional panels add interest and move the action along smoothly. Sharp-eyed listeners may notice an additional character whose presence is acknowledged in the cheerful conclusion.
A sprightly and charming modern take on a traditional rhyme. (Picture book. 3-6)