Salina Yoon

Salina Yoon returns with the second title in the Duck, Duck, Porcupine! series. Purple Porcupine, chatty Big Duck, and silent Little Duck play out a series of hilarious encounters in three short chapters.

In the titular story, "My kite is stuck!" Big Duck's kite get stuck in the tree. She and Porcupine throw up other things, which all stick too. However, Little Duck keeps the story from falling into a cliche as she brings some helpful things - a step stool and ladder. Unfortunately, Big Duck show more and Porcupine don't quite get it! The story ends with the two up in the tree, happily playing with their toys, and Little Duck's blank but somehow exasperated expression looking at the reader.

In the second story, Porcupine makes a new friend - a bee! But Big Duck isn't so sure that counts until she finds her own buggy friend. Next to find a bug is Little Duck - but she's not so excited! The third and final story finds Porcupine and Big Duck setting up a lemonade stand. But they've forgotten one key item! Fortunately, Little Duck has them covered, as usual.

Yoon's boldly colored illustrations are presented in full or half-page panels with thick, black lines delineating separating each panel. The text is all dialogue, contained in speech bubbles, but in a bold, large font. It's an easy reading level with simple text but the need to follow the action through both the dialogue and art gives an added dimension to the simple stories. I thought this one was even funnier than the first and I look forward to new additions to the series.

Verdict: I've had a very positive response for this new series in book club. While it's not as raucously funny (or well-known) as some of the other comic easy readers like Elephant & Piggie, it's a strong addition to any easy reader section and both children and adults enjoy reading them together. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781619638877; Published 2017 by Bloomsbury; Purchased for the library show less

I've reviewed the first Duck, Duck, Porcupine book and the second, My Kite is Stuck, and they just keep getting better. But I feel like they don't get enough recognition!

In this latest collection of stories, clever but silent Little Duck has to put up with the hijinks of Porcupine and Big Duck. In the first story, Big Duck and Porcupine ask to share Little Duck's stash of books when they get bored - but they just don't understand how books work! But maybe they just need Little Duck to show show more them what's inside the books? In the second chapter, Big Duck decides to have a talent show. Big Duck has lots of talents. Porcupine doesn't have any - or does he? In their third adventure, Big Duck gets worried when Little Duck loses his quack. She is sure he's sick because all he can say is "ARR" but little does she know Little Duck is playing a game...

Yoon's bright, primary colors stand out against a bold green and sky blue background, surrounded by sharp, black borders. The hints of scratchy black showing against the white and yellow spots add a nice touch to the art. Text is solely in dialogue balloons, bold black against white. While the text is not extremely challenging and will work well for a beginning reader, the book does require a higher degree of fluency, since a lot of the humor is shown through the interaction between the dialogue and the subtle changes in the art.

Verdict: My book club kids love these and I hope they become more widespread and popular as more people hear about them. I hate to keep comparing things to Elephant and Piggie, but really they are worthy successors, at least in humor. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781619638914; Published 2017 by Bloomsbury; Borrowed from another library in my consortium show less

Be a Friend is a wonderful story about a beautiful friendship between two kids, one of which does not communicate with words. The illustrations are simple and beautiful and a great way to engage readers. I love this story because it is a great way to teach kids how to be friends with people that are different than them and that friendships can look many different ways. I think this book is really wonderful because it was be hard for kids to know how to befriend kids that do not communicate show more the same way as them but this text serves an easy way to start to build that comfort. show less

I'm not completely sure how I feel about this book....sure, it's a sweet and endearing story....but why?

I get the sentiment...Dennis is different and has a hard time communicating and making friends...but, why a Mime? I just feel this will speak to such a limited amount of children. Why not utilize a more common communication issue in children...shyness, speech issues, etc. My 7 yr old didn't even know what a Mime was..I had to explain it to her.

I also wasn't keen on the ending idea that show more friends don't need to speak...yes, again, I get the sentiment, but I'm an adult...children think in less complex terms...communication is important and we shouldn't confuse children into thinking speaking isn't necessary.

I love the illustrations, and the color pallette. I even think the Mime idea is cute....but, not used this way....I thought this book would explain the art of Miming and maybe inspire a friendship through the art, or a something of a similar vein.

Overall....it's a cute book and there are things I like about it....but, I wouldn't recommend it for everyone. show less