Helen Cooper (1) (1963–)

I received an advance release copy via NetGalley.

This charming middle grade book is whimsical and wonderful, loaded with fantastic illustrations and warm messages about family and friendship. Young Ben receives an invitation to visit an obscure museum in his town and falls upon a plot to close the place--which is masterminded by the same fellow who is threatening his own home. Upon entering the museum, Ben is even more committed to saving it, as every room brims with magical talking show more creatures. Adults refuse to believe what Ben says about the threat, so it's up to him and his new friends to save the day.

Ben's relationship with his mom is one of the best parts of the book. They grow much closer, and a sense of mutual respect develops between them. Too many kid books (and TV shows) make the adults out to be the enemy. Here, it's handled with nuance. A good message, without being messagey.

Oh, this book left me desperate to find this museum for myself so that I can befriend a pygmy hippopotamus, owl, and elephant shrew, and maybe meet a witch or two! The illustrations add a lot to the joy of this book. You can't help but smile when you see a hippo smile. The whole ending left me smiling, too. show less

Cat, Duck, and Squirrel - the three friends and room-mates whose story began in Pumpkin Soup, and continued in A Pipkin of Pepper - return in this, their third adventure. When the trio discover that there are no ripe pumpkins in their patch, their plan to make their favorite treat (pumpkin soup, of course!) comes to nothing, and they must look to Cat's dusty recipe book for other ideas. Predictably, Duck proves difficult, refusing to eat the fish, mushroom and beets soups that the friends show more produce. Finally, in desperation, Cat decides he will trick his recalcitrant friend, making something that looks like pumpkin soup, but is made from yellow zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, and corn.

As with the first two picture-books given over to the doings of this lovable feline, anatine and sciurine trio (haha, that's three animals adjectives at once!), Delicious! is a delightful visual feast for the reader, beautifully illustrated by Helen Cooper with rich colors and expressive details. I don't know that I loved it quite as much as the first two, but it was still very engaging, and will undoubtedly appeal to children who are picky eaters, as well as to the adults in their lives. My favorite detail? The running dual "narrative" with the household bugs, who protest the waste of food going on, as Duck rejects one soup after another. Hilarious! show less

Cat, Squirrel and Duck - the three soup-making friends (and roommates) whose first adventure was chronicled in the Kate Greenaway Medal-winning Pumpkin Soup - return for another adventure in this second book, setting off for the big city on a shopping expedition, when they run out of salt. Predictably (given the contretemps of the first book), it is Duck who causes a commotion, when he gets so distracted by his idea that their soup would benefit from pepper, as well as salt, that he fails to show more keep up with his friends. Will Duck ever find Cat and Squirrel again...?

A Pipkin of Pepper is an engaging follow-up to Helen Cooper's initial story about this trio, with a narrative that will keep young readers involved - haven't most children become lost, at some point - and gorgeous illustrations that fairly leap off the page, in all their autumn splendor. I simply loved Cooper's cityscapes here, her use of color, even her decorative endpapers! Lovely, lovely, lovely! I will definitely be tracking down the third title to feature these characters, Delicious! show less

I received the Hippo at the End of the Hall free for an honest review. The start of this book is delightful! It has an air of mystery, magic, and whimsical adventure that I would have loved as a child. All my favourite books had a similar atmosphere. The main character is a young boy named Ben who lives with his mom in a small apartment, struggling to make ends meet, and dealing with a greedy and mean landlord who is threatening to raise their rent. Ben's father, an explorer, died at sea on show more his last adventure, but there's some kind of mystery about hm that his mother refuses to talk much about, and it seems to be tied up in some way with a mysterious old museum that Ben receives an invitation to go visit. I loved the idea of a strange and decrepit old museum filled with interesting oddities, strange bees, and talking creatures that need help in the fight to stay open and to save their museum home. When Ben visits the museum, and learns of their plight, he realizes he must overcome his fear to try to help them, as well as the old woman who lives at, and cares for the museum, and all who reside there. Along the way, Ben discovers answers to the questions about his father, his mother, and learns a lot about himself and what's worth fighting for.

I think this is a wonderful book for a child, especially a child who is a bit fearful and shy. Ben faces his fears again and again, and learns that sometimes the scariest looking things aren't really as scary as they seem. The illustrations are well done, and I especially enjoyed he tale Ben's mother tells him about the witch and the egg shell, and how that later is woven into Ben's story in a different and magical way. I could see this becoming a favourite bedtime story. Highly recommended. show less