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Thora: A Half-Mermaid Tale |
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| Author: |
Gillian Johnson |
 Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0060743794 |
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From Booklist
Gr. 4-6. Half girl and half mermaid, 10-year-old Thora moves to the odd little seaside town of Grimli in order to fulfill her destiny as revealed by a fortune-teller. With a buoyant attitude and a loving heart, she quickly befriends and helps many of the town's inhabitants, though her goodwill does not extend to all. Thora's distrust of a greedy local tycoon named Tooty Frooty proves to be well founded when his dastardly deeds threaten the welfare of her mermaid mother and the town he professes to help. Like Pippi Longstocking, Thora lives largely on her own (her mermaid mother cannot live on land) and ignores normal ways of doing things. With a light touch and a smattering of Briticisms, this entertaining fantasy will charm children who like their magic with its feet on the ground. The broad premise may be fantastic, but... |
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Thora: A Half-Mermaid Tale |
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| Author: |
Gillian Johnson |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0060743786 |
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| Availability: |
|
From Booklist
Gr. 4-6. Half girl and half mermaid, 10-year-old Thora moves to the odd little seaside town of Grimli in order to fulfill her destiny as revealed by a fortune-teller. With a buoyant attitude and a loving heart, she quickly befriends and helps many of the town's inhabitants, though her goodwill does not extend to all. Thora's distrust of a greedy local tycoon named Tooty Frooty proves to be well founded when his dastardly deeds threaten the welfare of her mermaid mother and the town he professes to help. Like Pippi Longstocking, Thora lives largely on her own (her mermaid mother cannot live on land) and ignores normal ways of doing things. With a light touch and a smattering of Briticisms, this entertaining fantasy will charm children who like their magic with its feet on the ground. The broad premise may be fantastic, but... |
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Bun Bun's Birthday |
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| Author: |
Richard Scrimger |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0887766374 |
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From School Library Journal
PreS-K-This slice-of-family-life story explores young Winifred's discovery that the cake that her mother has just purchased and the festoonery that her father has just draped around the living room are all in anticipation of her baby sister Bun Bun's (aka Brenda) first birthday. Winifred mopes. After all, her birthday is supposed to follow brother Eugene's and, in her mind, it is her turn. Mother coaxes the pouty child out of self-imposed closet exile and reminds Winifred that she once celebrated a first birthday, even though she doesn't remember it. Winifred then finds consolation in the fact that she will remember more about the party than the birthday baby herself and be able to tell her about it. As guests arrive, Winifred is ready to celebrate with the certitude that her big day will be next. This homey... |
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Eugene's Story |
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| Author: |
Richard Scrimger |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0887765440 |
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From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1--Eugene likes to amuse himself by telling a story about a boy named Eugene, but his big sister, Winifred, keeps interrupting him mid-sentence with her shrill refrain ("No-no-no!") and annoying observations about the things he cannot do. Eventually, Eugene decides he's had enough. In a surprising plot twist, he stares at Winifred, who shrinks down to nothing and vanishes, leaving her brother free to imagine himself an only child and end his story on a high note. Johnson's winsome art features simple watercolor-and-line illustrations filled with pastels and surrounded by ample white space. A therapeutic glimpse into the frustrating world of a younger sibling.--Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier... |
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Gracie's Baby Chub Chop |
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| Author: |
Gillian Johnson |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Library Binding |
| ISBN: |
0887766935 |
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From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3–Gracie, a large brown dog, and Fabio, a small white one, are content with their lives until their owners baby-sit Baby Chub Chop while his parents travel to Timbuktu. Gracie figures she can tolerate a visitor for a week or two, but Fabio warns the child, "Stay away./Leave me alone./Don't touch my rug,/My ball, my bone." When the adults are not looking, Baby Chub discovers that he can walk and proceeds to make a mess of the house. Of course, Gracie and Fabio are blamed and banished "To the doghouse!" Later on, the pets are forgiven when they show their owners some inky footprints that reveal the true culprit. This comical tale will have kids identifying with the very human reactions of these animals when Baby Chub invades their space. The rhyming text keeps the action moving... |
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James the Dancing Dog |
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| Author: |
Linda Maybarduk |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0887766196 |
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From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3–Dogs can have big dreams, too. Not just doggie dreams of slow, fat cats, but of a grander life. And so it is with James. His parents go to the ballet company each day. So does James. The dancers practice their moves. So does James. Maybe some don't recognize that he has a dancer's soul, but he is not deterred from his goal. He wants to perform in the spotlight. When a wolfhound is chosen for the part of the hunting dog in Giselle, he is devastated. However, when the animal gets stage fright, James is ready. Based on a real dog who worked at the National Ballet of Canada, this is a delightful story of determination, hope, and being prepared when opportunities arise. Children will love James and sympathize as he doggedly pursues his dream. Johnson's cartoon ink-and-watercolor... |
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Ma Soeur Bibi |
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| Author: |
Gillian Johnson |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0887765661 |
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My Sister Gracie |
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| Author: |
Gillian Johnson |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0887765149 |
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From Publishers Weekly
Leaden rhymes and clumsy anthropomorphism derail this story of a dog who hates his "sister." Fabio, a pooch with a puff of white poodle curls on his head, expects his family to acquire a second male dog as his playmate. He's disappointed when the humans choose an overweight female dog instead: "Gracie was large and lacking zest./ They said, 'She'll need a lot of rest.' " Fabio resents Gracie and foresees a rotten future for himself ("Now why is Fabio sad and snappy?/ Gracie was meant to make him happy./ Why do his tears fall down like rain?/ 'If Gracie would go, I'd laugh again' "). But when his canine friends mock his new family member ("Hey, Fatso, you're an/ Ugly hound./ Were you the last one at/ The pound?"), Fabio finally comes to Gracie's rescue. Unfortunately, readers will have a hard time understanding... |
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My Sister Gracie |
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| Author: |
Gillian Johnson |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0887767508 |
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From Publishers Weekly
Leaden rhymes and clumsy anthropomorphism derail this story of a dog who hates his "sister." Fabio, a pooch with a puff of white poodle curls on his head, expects his family to acquire a second male dog as his playmate. He's disappointed when the humans choose an overweight female dog instead: "Gracie was large and lacking zest./ They said, 'She'll need a lot of rest.' " Fabio resents Gracie and foresees a rotten future for himself ("Now why is Fabio sad and snappy?/ Gracie was meant to make him happy./ Why do his tears fall down like rain?/ 'If Gracie would go, I'd laugh again' "). But when his canine friends mock his new family member ("Hey, Fatso, you're an/ Ugly hound./ Were you the last one at/ The pound?"), Fabio finally comes to Gracie's rescue. Unfortunately, readers will have a hard time understanding... |
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Princess Bun Bun |
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| Author: |
Richard Scrimger |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0887765432 |
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From Publishers Weekly
The star of Bun Bun's Birthday embarks on an adventure with her baby brother in Princess Bun Bun by Richard Scrimger, illus. by Gillian Johnson. They accidentally climb aboard the elevator in "Uncle Dave's" new building, the "Castle Apartments." Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K-The family from Bun Bun's Birthday (Tundra, 2001)-Winifred, Eugene, their baby sister, and their parents-is going to visit Uncle Dave in his new home in the Castle Apartments. Eugene wonders whether there will be juice and a TV. Winifred's vision is triggered by the word "castle," and, as they approach the building, she conjures up a moat or a guard with a sword. In the lobby, Bun Bun toddles off by herself into an open elevator, and... |
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