Lynne BerryRezensionen

Hmmm......

"Duck Skates" does have a lot going for it. A lot. It's a fun way to do variations on counting to five. (The predominant one is 3 2). It also talks about how there are ten of something (think five ducks 2 mittens each, etc.) And the illustrations are colorful and delightful.

I just don't love this book like I want to. There is disobedience as a major theme to drive the tale. (Which I didn't quite catch until my second read through). My kids in storytime also didn't react to this as I wanted them to either.

So needless to say, this will not be a reread.

This one has way too many -tch sounds for me to read aloud, due to my speech impediment.

Loved everything about the book but the end. The rhymes are great, the illustrations are charming.

The title should have clued me in.

The five little ducks from Duck Skates, Duck Dunks and Duck Tents return in this fourth and final rhyming picture-book adventure. Riding their bikes one autumn day, the ducks come upon an apple tree, and gathering the fruit they need, return home to bake some delicious apple pies...

Like its predecessors, Ducking for Apples pairs an engaging text in rhyme from author Lynne Berry with cute, colorful artwork from illustrator Hiroe Nakata. I would not say, all told, that these four books are outstanding examples of the picture-book form, but they are certainly cute, and they have a certain seasonal appeal. I'd recommend this one as a read-aloud during an autumn-themed story-hour, perhaps.

The five little ducks from Duck Skates and Duck Dunks return in this third picture-book adventure, this time setting out for a backyard camping and fishing trip. Pitching their tents, heading to the local stream, and enjoying an afternoon of fishing, they eventually return to their own backyard, where they have a cookout around a campfire. Then they hear an unfamiliar noise in the growing darkness, and they dive for their tents...

Like its predecessors, Duck Tents pairs an entertaining story told in rhyme from author Lynne Berry with cute, colorful artwork from illustrator Hiroe Nakata. I would imagine that this would make an excellent read-aloud selection, particularly for story hours featuring a summer or camping theme. Recommended to anyone looking for lighthearted picture-books with either a camping theme, or featuring adorable little ducklings.

The five little ducklings from Duck Skates return in this rhyming romp of a picture-book, this time heading to the seashore for some summer fun. After swimming until their faces turn blue, the ducklings emerge from the water and play games on the sand - leapfrog, tag, flying a kite - before enjoying a picnic lunch. When evening comes they enjoy one last dunk before heading home for bed...

Like its predecessor, Duck Dunks pairs a fun rhyming text from author Lynne Berry with cute, colorful artwork from illustrator Hiroe Nakata. Also like its predecessor, it struck me as an entertaining little picture-book for a read-aloud, particularly for readers seeking summery beach stories. I thought that it was a little more appealing than Duck Skates, which I found cute but unremarkable. I'm not sure why this one struck a chord with me that the other didn't, but there you have it.

Five little ducks head to the local pond for some skating and winter fun in this picture-book from author Lynne Berry and illustrator Hiroe Nakata. As they gain a surer footing on the ice, they engage in other games, skating into a pile of snow, having a snowball fight, and so on. Eventually they head home for some warm food and a snooze by the fire...

The first of four picture-books featuring these five ducklings from Berry and Nakata, Duck Skates is a cute enough book, pairing a rhyming text with colorful artwork. Some of the passages would lend themselves to counting games, and I would imagine that the book as a whole would make an engaging read-aloud selection. All that said, it didn't leave a strong impression on me, despite my fondness for wintry scenes. Picture-book readers looking for cute stories about winter activities might want to give it a try, particularly if they enjoy rhyming texts.

Witch throws a party for all the ghosts and ghouls of the neighborhood one "pale gray night with a bright full moon," asking her cat for assistance at each step. The cat is more interested in his own pursuits, and refuses to help, eventually leading to his own demise, as his magical mistress eventually gets tired of his attitude...

The Curious Demise of a Contrary Cat is the second picture-book I have read from author/illustrator team Lynne Berry and Luke LaMarca, following upon their subsequent Squid Kid the Magnificent. That later book was done in a completely different style, both textually and artistically, and I think I prefer its silly fun to this visually appealing but textually flawed work. Although I enjoyed the illustrations here, done in black and white and featuring stylized figures that are both spooky and fun, the repetitive text just did not work for me. It didn't read well, and the repetition felt overdone, rather than natural. Tastes vary, so picture-book readers who enjoy witchy tales might still want to give it a try, but I do not strongly recommend it.

Author Lynne Berry and illustrator Matthew Cordell team up in this lighthearted picture-book examination of Archimedes' principle, AKA the physical law of buoyancy. As Archie the goat attempts to get across the moat, aided by his assistant, Skinny the Hen, he finds that an empty barrel is as futile as a full one. The latter sinks, and the former is unstable. Finally, after a few tries, he discovers that a half-empty barrel is just the ticket...

With a humorous story-line, a (sometimes) rhyming text, and appealing artwork from Caldecott medalist Cordell, What Floats in a Moat? is an engaging picture-book, one that can be read simply as an entertaining tale, but that can also be used to explain and explore the idea of buoyancy with younger children. Skinny Hen's reactions are particularly amusing here, and I can see the back-and-forth between her and Archie making this an excellent read-aloud selection at story-time. Recommended to anyone looking for engaging children's stories that explain scientific concepts, as well as to those just looking for amusing picture-book romps.

Squid Kid the Magnificent - AKA Oliver the squid - performs his magic tricks for his sister Stella in this amusing underwater picture-book adventure. Stella is unimpressed, and challenges her brother at every turn, becoming especially outraged when he uses her pet cuttlefish Cuddles in his act. But when he frightens her by pretending to be a shark, she knows how to turn the tables...

The sometimes combative, sometimes playful relationship between siblings is explored to entertaining effect in Squid Kid the Magnificent, which pairs an engaging text by author Lynne Berry with bright, colorful illustrations by artist Luke LaMarca. I found the back-and-forth between Oliver and Stella amusing, and imagine young children will as well, just as they'll enjoy the ending, in which the not-so-patient sister squid gets back at her brother. Recommended to young would-be magicians, and to anyone looking for engaging picture-books about siblings.

I really enjoyed this book because it is just so cute for children. The first thing that I liked was that the use of the words are so close with spelling that you need to pay attention to the words. For example in the book it says "Are you a pug? says pug to pig. No, a pig. says pig to pug". I think that having the book be like this makes kids think when they are reading it since they need to pay attention to the words. Also another thing I like is that it does not use that many different words which will make it easy for children to read. Then the illustrations of the book are so simple but they are detailed with action. In one part of the book it says "Pug pants. Pig snorts" and in this part it has each animal doing all kinds of things to show they are tired and out of breath instead of just one picture of each animal. The moral of this story I would say is do not judge a book by its cover.½

49 months - O thought it was cute but certainly geared for a younger age group.

24 months - the illustrations are fun, artistic and complex. The story is just mediocre although the ending did make me laugh. I just wasn't thrilled with the repetitive story, some authors can provide the repeat kids like yet not bore the adults to death... This one just didnt succeed for me.

“Hey, kids! Want to learn about Archimedes’ principle?”

You’d never figure that to be a crowd pleaser, but, it is. I tried it with nearly 20 different classrooms full of 2nd and 3rd graders who could not wait to guess what would happen each time Archie set sail. What Floats in a Moat? begs to be shared. It is a silly, funny, rhyming tale of trial and error as Archie the Goat and Skinny the Hen try to cross a moat in a barrel that is in turns full, empty, and finally, just right. If there is a more fun way to learn about Archimedes’ Principle, it surely involves actual water! In fact, an entire program could be built around this book if you had a tub of water and a few film canisters or other barrel stand-ins. If you’re looking for a funny and entertaining way to incorporate science, this is it.

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Ha, pretty darn cute story that's especially fun around Halloween! I'm a big fan of pen-and-ink, so I really enjoyed the illustrations, which helped me bump this book's rating from three to four stars..

Quite the funny, cute book! This one struck a chord with me. Love that it teaches science, too!

Science and silliness; nice wording

A rhyming story with cute enough illustrations but I didn't feel like it really grabbed the kids. Looking at it again, I think it might be better for one on one sharing rather than storytime. That would give kids time to see all the details in Hiroe Nakata's watercolor and ink drawings. I do love the minty color palette Nakata used.

Worked fine for the four-year-olds as a shorter wrap-up story at the end of storytime. Not their favorite of the day, but it still held their interest.

Used for St. John's Preschool Let It Snow! storytime 12/1/09.
Used for Snow Storytime for four-year-olds at Light of Christ Preschool 1/4/11. Used for 3-5 yo storytime at Sunshine Early Learning Center 11/16/11.

Five ducks set up tents in the backyard to camp. Join them in this book with rhymes!

Pictures were ADORABLE, but the text didn't hold my attention--although it did have a little quirk to it so maybe it would grow on me

Summary: In Duck Tents the five ducks head on a camping trip. This trip is fun with fishing adventures and camping supplies. A basic counting book through five and illustrated with watercolor.
Review: It was cute that one of the ducks lost their fishing pole to the 'big fish'. Good detail and emotion captured with watercolor, I think that is a hard technique to develop.
School Use: This would be a good read aloud book. Then the students could tell camping or nature stories that they are reminded of.

I think this is a first for me: anthropomorphic animals -- in this case, ducklings -- that the illustrator has presented in shades of downy color from bright yellow to tan and brown. I love it.

This is a great read that teaches not only about being helpful, but also that there are consequences for not being empathic with others.

Am I turning into an old lady or is a picture book geared toward preschoolers in which the main characters cheerfully ignore a stop sign on ice on a pond and suffer no consequences a bad idea? Other than that, the book is cute enough, nothing special.

Five little ducks have fun in the snow and ice. They go ice skating and have snowball fights.