Froggy Goes to Hawaii

A cool cat named Oobie-Do moves to San Francisco, plays his saxophone and works as a short order cook, until his jazzy talents are recognized by nightclub owner Minnie, who books him for a gig. The bold, stylized illustrations are a cool complement to the rhythmic language of this off beat(nik!) tale.

Hippos are indeed huge. They can also be dangerous as they’re fast and have razor-sharp teeth. An informal narrative and dramatic illustrations combine with factual information in this engaging and fascinating look at a very big creature.

Told from the perspective of a boy who witnesses the sky growing ominously purple and rushes to evacuate with his family, Hurricane! is set in Puerto Rico and based on a childhood experience of the author’s. The family huddles together in a shelter while the winds howl. They and their neighbors take solace from gently singing “Silent Night” while waiting out the storm.

Trucks of all kinds that do many kinds of work are introduced in four rhyming, alliterative, onomatopoeic lines on sturdy pages. Playful language is enhanced by comic, color saturated illustrations featuring child-drivers and trucks with personalities.

A fox emerges from its burrow to find food in a snowy landscape, hunting a mouse and a hare. The fox becomes the hunted when a wolverine emerges from another lair. The small fox makes it back to its den where it can find safety and rest. Dramatic illustrations and lyrical narration effectively tell a realistic story.

Trucks come in many sizes and colors and serve many functions, including driving a little boy to his new home. Crisp lines, broad forms, and bold colors combine with the straightforward narration for a satisfying look at an ever popular topic: things that go.