Marla Frazee

Born in the same litter, Boots and Shoe did everything together, from eating to sleeping. Everything, that is, except porch-sitting. Boot was a back-porch kind of dog, and Shoe a front-porch one. Then one day a squirrel happened by and caused lots of trouble (as they are wont to do), leading the two canine brothers on a chase around the house. When Boot ends up at the back porch, and Shoe at the front, they are each bewildered not to see the other, and decide to keep watch until their show more counterpart returns. It is, as the narrator informs the reader, a lonely time...

Having greatly enjoyed some of author/illustrator Marla Frazee's other picture-books, from All the World to The Farmer and the Clown, I was fully prepared to take Boot & Shoe to heart, especially when I saw it was about cats. Except it wasn't about cats after all, I was simply deceived by my first glance at the cover... which turned out to be just fine! This is a sweet story, even if it doesn't have the emotional depth of some of Frazee's other titles, and features a heartwarming ending, one that will satisfy young child listeners. The artwork, as is to be expected from this illustrator, is absolutely adorable, capturing Boot and Shoe's changing emotional state perfectly. Recommended to all young dog lovers, and to anyone searching for engaging and humorous tales for the picture-book set. show less

Little Brown was a very cranky dog. The other dogs in the play-yard wouldn't play with him, and whether this was because he was cranky, or he was cranky because of this, the situation remained unresolved. When our canine anti-hero went on a stealing spree, amassing all of the other dog's playthings in a pile that he refused to surrender, it led to a face-off. Would the other dogs agree to play with Little Brown? Would Little Brown return the playthings...?

Readers expecting a sweeter, more show more stereotypical resolution of the story in Little Brown are in for a bit of a surprise, as all sides, pondering the issue, find it too difficult to resolve, and put off doing anything about it until the next day. On the one hand, this ending made me laugh out loud, with its realistic and very human anti-resolution of the crisis. On the other hand, I do wonder whether child readers, who often have a much more immediate sense of justice than their elders, would find it appealing and/or acceptable. Leaving the issue of story resolution aside, this was a cute exploration of feeling cranky and/or unhappy, and the social effect that this can have. Marla Frazee's artwork is, as is to be expected, darling, and increased my enjoyment of the book significantly. Recommended to Frazee fans, and to anyone looking for less-than-edifying children's stories about playground behavior. show less

I admit it: The only reason I read this picture book was because it was banned in Florida. I had to see for myself what provoked the usual gang of idiots (forgive me, I should never compare them to the talented crew at Mad Magazine) to ban it.

I’m not sure why Walton County, Florida, banned this book. It’s a wonderful book, showing babies of every shade and race and size doing baby things: being kissed and cuddled by besotted relatives, being dressed, being fed, going out, playing, show more crawling, toddling, crying, cooing, giggling, babbling — well, you get it. In one small picture, a woman is discreetly nursing her baby. Was it that? In another, a baby’s being changed. No more is shown than in a diaper commercial. Was it that? It’s hard to discern what will set off a QAnon tyrant.

Or was it the final line that dismayed the censors? “Every day, everywhere, babies are loved … for trying so hard, for traveling so far, for being so wonderful … just as they are!” Because, God forbid, that parents allow their children to be themselves.

I want to thank the theocrats for bringing this wonderful picture book to my attention. The whimsical illustrations by Caldecott Medal winner Marla Frazee will bring a huge smile to any reader and their babies — whatever their age (my youngest baby soon turns 29). And you can judge how charming the sing-song prose by Susan Meyers is for yourself. Highly recommended. Buy a copy to send to someone in Florida. show less

Words aren't necessary to make this a read packed with giggles, surprises, gasps and heart-filled moments.

This is a book without words, and they are not necessary. The illustrations drive this book from beginning to end. I love books like this because it demonstrates how potent good illustrations can be. From the first page to the last, every moment sits and hits with its very own emotional impact. And it tells a wonderful story, too.

It's funny to watch the monkey follow the farmer, and show more this alone will have listeners giggling and wondering what will happen next. The 'plot' builds from page to page. It's clear what's going on, and yet, there's room for kids to allow their own stories to take flight in their imaginations. While the monkey follows and watches the farmer in the first pages, the reasoning behind the monkey's actions are left open to interpretation. It's a wonderful way to allow kids to take the first steps in their own story telling. Or even more importantly, it allows their own imaginations to work, wonder and take flight.

Still, this tale has clear messages and situations. The monkey's antics and the farmer's reactions remind of patience, forgiveness, and warming care. A friendship develops and yet, there's an ending, which calls for a chuckle, understanding, and even a little sigh of relief. It's a great tale, which invites to be read over and over again, and can easily become a favorite with some 'readers'. show less