[BOOK REVIEW] Doctor DeSoto by William Steig

Title:  Doctor DeSoto

Author:  William Steig

Genre: Animal / Drama / Humor


Year Published: 1982


Year Read: 1993

Publisher:  Scholastic

Source:  Purchased

Content Rating:  Ages 5+ (One Violent Image)

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“Doctor DeSoto” is a popular book written by the master children’s books, William Steig. This book is most notably known for winning the Newberry Honor Book award and has remained to be a favorite among the young readers for many generations.

Doctor DeSoto” has an extremely unique storyline about deception. The fox was trying to be friendly towards the DeSotos in the second half of the story, thinking that they would not suspect his malicious intentions. But, Doctor DeSoto comes up with a creative solution in outfoxing the fox and therefore, turns the tables on the fox. Doctor DeSoto’s trickery towards the fox is probably one of the greatest trickster moments in book history since in “Stephanie’s Ponytail” when Stephanie tricked her classmates into shaving their heads bald. William Steig’s illustrations are vividly detailed as he masterfully illustrates the expressions on the characters’ faces of pity and uncertainty from the fox as he is treated by Doctor DeSoto and how Steig illustrates the buildings in the cities by coloring the buildings mostly brown and red and having the interior of each building be filled with flowers, couches, and colorful wallpapers that create a homely atmosphere to the story.

Parents should know that there is a brief image of the fox’s tooth being pulled out by a lever machine and the tooth is somewhat bloody as drops of blood fall from the tooth. Young children who are frightened of the dentist may worry about this image so parents should try to either skip over this image or reassure their children that the fox is alright from this procedure, even though he states, “I’m bleeding!”

“Doctor DeSoto” is one of William Steig’s greatest classics since it contains a trickery scene by Doctor DeSoto that will remain a cult favorite for many years. Children about ages six or younger will simply adore this book for its cute characters and exciting storyline and the adults will love the fact that Doctor DeSoto has taken a great profession in dentistry and I am sure that this book will be a favorite for many years. Also, if you love “Doctor DeSoto,” check out the sequel “Doctor DeSoto Goes to Africa” that also features the wise doctor.

* 1983 National Book Award for Children's Books
* 1983 Newbery Honor

[BOOK REVIEW] The Three Pigs by David Wiesner

Title:  The Three Pigs

Author:  David Wiesner

Genre: Animal / Drama / Humor / Fantasy


Year Published: 2001

 
Year Read: 2008

Publisher: Clarion Books

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 5+  (Nothing Objectionable)

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“The Three Pigs” is a children’s book written by David Wiesner, author of the famous book “Tuesday.”  “The Three Pigs” is about how the three pigs basically come out of the story and their adventures in the real world.  This book is the winner of the Caldecott Medal and is surely to send kids rolling over with laughter.

David Wiesner’s writing is smart and creative, but it is his illustrations that take center stage here.  At first, the three pigs are drawn in regular two-dimensional storybook characters, but when the first pig gets blown out of the story, he is suddenly a three-dimensional and realistic looking character indicating that the pig has broken the line between fantasy, which is the story he was in and reality, where he is blown out of the page.  This goes on throughout most of the book where the cat playing the fiddle and the dragon turn three-dimensional also when they came out of their stories until the end of the book where all the characters are two-dimensional again when they come back to the three pigs’ story.  My favorite image in this book would have to be when the first pig is looking straight at the audience and exclaims:

“I think… someone’s out there.”

And you could see his face close up and he is squinting at the audience to see who is out there which indicates that he knows that the audience is watching, which is something that most illustrated characters do not notice while they are in a story.  David Wiesner’s writing is creative, especially when the book starts out with the story of the three pigs and then once the first pig is blown out of the page, the writing takes form of a comic book as the characters are speaking through the bubbles you would normally see in comic books.

“The Three Pigs” is a wonderfully surreal story from the creative mind of David Wiesner and is certainly a story that will stand out from the rest of the fractured fairy tales other than “The Stinky Cheese Man.”  I would recommend this book for children ages five and up since children younger than five would not understand the complicated plot.

* 2002 Caldecott Medal


  

[BOOK REVIEW] The Amazing Bone by William Steig

Title:  The Amazing Bone

Author:  William Steig

Genre: Animal / Drama / Friendship


Year Published: 1976



Year Read: 1993

Publisher: Square Fish

Source:  Purchased

Content Rating:  Ages 6+ (Depictions of Child Kidnapping and an Attempted Robbery)

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“The Amazing Bone” is another classic from William Steig and is also the most dramatic book due to the main character being put into peril in a number of cases. William Steig’s hand-drawn illustrations and his intense yet soothing storytelling makes this book an instant treat to enjoy.

“The Amazing Bone” sets the perfect storyline about the power of friendship and the dangers of the outside world to a child. William Steig dramatically tells how some strangers are dangerous to children by depicting a young pig that meets many dangerous strangers in the woods and nearly has died on both accounts. William Steig’s storytelling also brilliantly depicts of how important it is to walk home with somebody who will protect you, such as the bone coming along with Pearl and protecting her from all the dangerous strangers she has met. Another main aspect of this book is William Steig’s beautiful illustrations, as he illustrates the forest and the flowers with many vibrant colors that make the forest look beautiful and realistic.

Parents should know that there are many intense scenes in this book, such as Pearl being harassed by three robbers who threaten to kill her if she did not hand over her purse and the fox kidnapping Pearl and taking her to his hideaway so that he could cook Pearl into a main course dinner. Since many children today are being harassed and kidnapped by unsuspecting strangers, this book may be too much for children to handle and parents should try to explain to their children that it is always good to travel with someone if one does not know the place very well, so that the person will try their best to protect the child from any danger.

“The Amazing Bone” is a wonderful experience for children to see how it is dangerous to walk in an unsuspecting place alone and how friendship is strong enough to conquer the most dangerous criminals. This book is probably one of William Steig’s most notable books due to it winning a Caldecott Honor Medal and this book does deserve that medal. Even though this book is a treat for many children, parents may want to talk to their children about strangers before reading them this book.

* 1977 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Nominee for Picture Book
* 1977 Caldecott Honor

My New Booklikes Account!

Hey everybody! I just wanted to let you know that I haven't been posting book reviews lately because I was busy trying to move the books I've reviewed over to Booklikes, a new book site where you could discuss your favorite books BLOG STYLE! So, here's the link to my new account at Booklikes:

http://ronyell.booklikes.com/

[BOOK REVIEW] The Tortoise and the Hare by Janet Stevens

Title:  The Tortoise and the Hare

Author:  Janet Stevens

Genre: Humor / Animal


Year Published: 1984



Year Read: 1995



Publisher: Holiday House

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 4+ (Some Bullying)

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“The Tortoise and the Hare” is a wonderful Aesop fable classic from Janet Stevens and it is about how Tortoise tries to work out everyday in order to beat Hare in a big race. “The Tortoise and the Hare” is the perfect book about the importance of hard work and perseverance that children will cherish for many years.

Janet Stevens has done an excellent job at both illustrating and writing this book about a famous Aesop fable. Janet Stevens’ illustrations are beautiful and colorful, especially of the images of Hare looking scraggly, while Tortoise looked wrinkly yet wise. Janet Stevens’ writing sets up the moral of the story, which is “hard work and perseverance brings its own rewards” in such a brilliant manner, that many children will be awed at how Janet Stevens shows that hard work does pay off.

“The Tortoise and the Hare” is a great book for children who want to learn how to work hard to earn their goals in life and is easily one of the greatest Aesop fables ever told. I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since there is nothing inappropriate in this book.  

[BOOK REVIEW] Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss

Title:  Bartholomew and the Oobleck

Author:  Dr. Seuss


Genre: Humor / Fantasy


Year Published: 1949


Year Read: 2006


Series: Bartholomew

Publisher: Random House

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 5+ (Some Intense Scenes)

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 “Bartholomew and the Oobleck” is the sequel to Dr. Seuss’ timeless classic “The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins” and is about how King Derwin wanted to create a weather that has never been created and ends up disastrous results.  “Bartholomew and the Oobleck” is definitely a classic tale that children will enjoy for many years.

 Dr. Seuss’ story is exciting and creative at the same time, especially during the scenes where Bartholomew tries to warn everyone about the oobleck covering the town.  Even though the story is not written in Dr. Seuss’ typical rhyming text, the story is still creative enough for kids to enjoy.  Dr. Seuss’ illustrations are as creative as ever, especially as the illustrations are mainly in black and white with the exception of the oobleck which is in green which gives true effectiveness to the story making the oobleck a threat to the people in the kingdom.

“Bartholomew and the Oobleck” is definitely one of Dr. Seuss most exciting books ever created and will definitely keep many children interested in this book.  I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since it might be too long for smaller children to read.

 * 1950 Caldecott Honor

[BOOK REVIEW] Babushka's Doll by Patricia Polacco

Title:  Babushka's Doll

Author:  Patricia Polacco


Genre: Family / Manners / Toys


Year Published: 1990


Year Read: 2010

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 4+ (Some Mischievous Behavior)

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Lately, I have taken interest in Patricia Polacco’s books and I have recently stumbled upon a new book by her called “Babushka’s Doll.” “Babushka’s Doll” is a Russian tale by Patricia Polacco and it is about how a naughty girl named Natasha learns the hard way about what it truly means to be impatient after her grandmother, Babushka leaves her doll with Natasha and the doll comes alive and starts bossing Natasha around! “Babushka’s Doll” is definitely one of the most creative and surprising books ever created that children will definitely get into!

Oh my! Patricia Polacco certainly knows how to bring about a lesson in life in an extremely interesting way! Patricia Polacco has done an excellent job at both illustrating and writing this book about the importance of being patient with other people (especially when the other person has to do work!) I love the way that Patricia Polacco writes this story in an extremely creative way as she takes a cautionary tale about the importance of being patient and turns it into a fairy tale inspired tale that involves a doll coming to life and teaching an impatient girl a lesson she will never forget and I just loved the surreal approach about a doll coming to life since it made this story extremely interesting to read, especially since I imagined that Babushka’s doll would make anyone who has possession of it just go crazy (the doll definitely drove me crazy because it whined so much!) I also love the way that Patricia Polacco teaches children about the importance of being patient and I think that many children will relate to Natasha’s woes in dealing with an extremely impatient doll as impatient children will see that dealing with another person who is much more impatient than that child can open their eyes to the importance of being patient. Another aspect of the story that I really enjoyed in this book are the illustrations by Patricia Polacco herself! The illustrations are just to die for as they beautiful and realistic, especially of the image of Babushka herself as her face portrays many wrinkles, but it also details how wise she is as she seems to secretly know about the doll’s motives before she gives it to Natasha. The image of Natasha on the other hand, is that she is shown as a young girl with brown hair that is wrapped up in a bun attached to a large white ribbon and she is seen wearing a red rose dotted blue dress and to top it all off, she has a scowl on her face which makes her look like a child who is used to getting everything she wants!

Overall, “Babushka’s Doll” is truly a great tale for children who enjoy reading Russian tales and who want to learn about the consequences of being impatient in the form of a doll! This book is definitely one of Patricia Polacco’s finest works in tales that have a folkloric theme! I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since there is nothing inappropriate in this book, unless children might get annoyed at Babushka’s doll!