Audrey Vernick

When the young narrator of this engaging picture-book exploration of childhood embarrassment says something extremely awkward in class - he accidentally calls his teacher 'Mommy' in front of all of his classmates! - he decides that he can never return to school. Imagining all of the things he can do as a first-grade dropout, the boy dwells almost obsessively on the circumstances surrounding his embarrassment, particularly the fact that his best friend joined the laughter at his expense. It show more is only when he sees his friend again at soccer, and is himself witness to his friend's embarrassing mistake, that he begins to get a more balanced perspective...

A sensitive appraisal of the sometimes extreme feelings of embarrassment that young people experience, First Grade Dropout follows a believable trajectory, as the would-be dropout works his way through his emotional reaction, and eventually comes, through further social interaction, to the conclusion that all is not lost. I appreciated Audrey Vernick's tale, and I think a lot of first graders will as well. The artwork by Matthew Cordell, done in pen and ink and watercolor, is entertaining and amusing, ably capturing the protagonist's anguished musings in humorous cartoon-like style. Recommended to all first graders who feel that they'll never recover from the grade-school faux pas they've committed. show less

In this hilarious send-up of the inter-species animal friendship story that has become so popular in the picture-book world of late, author Audrey Vernick and illustrator Henry Cole tell the tale of Vinnie, an extremely happy and hyperactive lost dog who befriends an indifferent rhinoceros named Bogart. Although Bogart remains placidly impervious to Vinnie's many overtures, enduring the endless "playing" that he is subjected to by his new canine companion, Vinnie never wavers in his show more enthusiasm. When the 'friendship' is discovered by the media, the rhino-dog pair become an overnight sensation, alerting Vinnie's human family to his location.

Although I have enjoyed many of the true-life stories of cross-species animal friendship that I have read - Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship, Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends, Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival - I still found Vernick's satire of the tale-type quite enjoyable. Vinnie's oblivious happiness and Bogart's reluctant tolerance are quite amusing, as are Henry Cole's cartoon-style illustrations, done in acrylic, colored pencil and ink. Bogart and Vinnie is one I would recommend to anyone looking for picture-books featuring humorous animal stories, or who has grown a little tired of the inter-species friendship tale. show less

I can't explain why, but this picture book got me so emotional as I was reading it, even though nothing terribly tear-jerking happens in it. As you read the story of the Acerras, an all-brother baseball team from the forties and fifties, you feel bonded to the characters and family as if you are there experiencing events with them. This book will open up many questions for young readers, such as why children would sleep in the same bed, or why it was so amazing that all six brothers who went show more to war returned safely. I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to others. show less

For all those children out there who have dreamed about being a rock star, Audrey Vernick's handy picture-book guide will come in very handy. Do you have an electric guitar? Not to worry, if you don't, you can play the air guitar! Do you have the necessary wild clothing and wild hair? If not, you can create some! Everything you need to be the biggest, baddest rock star icon is right here...

By turns amusing and sweet, So You Want to Be a Rock Star features two imaginative young children, and show more their games of make believe, as they pretend to be rockers, and put on a performance for their family. The tongue-in-check narrative, with its copious advice, will keep young children entertained, as will the colorful, cartoon-like artwork. Recommended to young rock-and-rollers, or to anyone searching for children's stories addressing the imaginative inner lives of young people. show less