Doreen Cronin

Doreen Cronin, creator of such picture-book hits as Click, Clack, Moo and Giggle, Giggle, Quack, turns here to the day-to-day life of a worm, chronicling his many earth-bound adventures in this amusing and educational diary. Opening in March, with the three things that Worm's mother wants him to always remember - that the earth provides everything worms need, that worms care for the earth by digging tunnels, that little worms should never bother Daddy when he's eating the newspaper - the show more story follows its lumbricine hero through half of the year, concluding in August with a reminder that while people may forget worms, the earth is always aware of them...

By turns humorous and informative, Diary of a Worm offers an entertaining tale of a little earthworm, with plenty of funny details - Worm trying to walk upside down like his friend Spider, Worm eating his homework one day - that contribute to the feeling of fun, as well as an overarching narrative, beginning and ending with the earth, that serves to subtly reinforce the important role of earthworms in the ecology. The artwork by Harry Bliss is colorful and likewise humorous, with plenty of entertaining details - mother worm's note to her son, instructing him to eat all of his trash; Worm's "passing" grade in composting, seen on his report-card on the decorative end-papers - that will have readers/perusers who notice them chuckling. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories that will amuse and educate the younger picture-book audience. show less

Farmer Brown and his independent-minded animals return in this hilarious follow-up to Click, Clack, Moo, where they made their debut. As the farmer prepares to go on his vacation, he leaves instructions for his brother Bob on how to care for the animals, little dreaming that scheming Duck has taken a hand in matters, substituting his own instructions. Soon the animals are enjoying pizza parties, bubble baths, and movie night...

Like its predecessor, Giggle, Giggle, Quack pairs an amusing tale show more of animal shenanigans from author Doreen Cronin with humorously expressive artwork from illustrator Betsy Lewin. Appropriately enough, given the title, I found myself giggling quite a bit as I read the story, and although quite aware of who the culprit was, when it came to the miscommunication between Farmer Brown and his brother, I still enjoyed watching events unfold. The target audience here will no doubt feel the same, appreciating being in on the joke. Recommended to anyone who has read and enjoyed Click, Clack, Moo, as well as to anyone looking for barnyard stories with a silly sense of humor. show less

The animals of Farmer Brown's farmyard return in this amusing counting adventure, intent on playing a prank on their human caretaker. With Duck (naturally) leading the way, everyone from the chickens (four of them) to the cows (five in all) get in on the act. In the end, Farmer Brown is confronted with a very fishy surprise...

Like Click, Clack, Quackity-Quack: An Alphabetical Adventure, which featured the farmyard animals from Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type in a more story-centric show more concept-book than one usually sees, Click, Clack, Splish Splash: A Counting Adventure manages to do something entertaining with its numeric narrative. This isn't "just" a counting book - it tells a story, and an amusing one at that. I wouldn't say it was the equal of some of the more narrative-driven entries in this series, but it will still have appeal. Recommended to fans of the Farmer Brown's Barnyard stories, particularly if they're in the market for a counting book. show less

What is the trouble with chickens? They talk too much.

Doreen Cronin, with amazing interspersed images from Kevin Cornell, takes readers on a journey with J.J., a former rescue dog with a heart of gold. His current case is helping "Moosh" - a stressed out chicken who has lost two of her chicks. After turning down the case, J.J. changes his mind after he is promised a cheeseburger in payment. As J.J. takes point he soon discovers that not everything is as it seems... and a certain "inside dog" show more may have some diabolical plans in store for everyone involved...

I'm not a big childrens book reader, but I really loved this title. I don't think I'd ever describe a youth fiction title as noir, but there are definitely elements of a specific type of old timey detective language here. The back cover promises adults will enjoy this title with their children; as an adult (without a child) I can actually back up that claim: it was a joy to read. A must have for any childrens collection in public and school libraries. show less