Synopses & Reviews
A 2015 Caldecott Honor Book and#160;In thisand#160;magical picture book,and#160;a young boyand#160;spends an overnight visit withand#160;his nana and is frightened to find that the city where she lives is filled with noise and crowds and scary things. But then Nana makes him a special cape to help him be brave,and#160;andand#160;soon the everydayand#160;sights, sounds, and smells of the city are not scaryandmdash;but wonderful.and#160;The succinct text is paired with watercolor illustrations that capture all the vitality, energy, andand#160;beauty of the city.
Review
"A powerful, much-needed argument for the virtues of civility . . . a nearly perfect parable about being true to oneself in a rough-and-tumble world."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
Review
"A powerful, much-needed argument for the virtues of civility . . . a nearly perfect parable about being true to oneself in a rough-and-tumble world."
and#8212;Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Understated and sunny itself, this picture book subtly prescribes behavior for situations dire and everyday. So, um, well, will you give it a read...please?"
and#8212;Kirkus, starred review
"Mary, with her wavy blond hair and rosy pink cheeks, is an endearing character who learns when to speak up for herself."
and#8212;School Library Journal
"Bridges' text employs a gentle rhythm and spare language to create a real story out of its underlying theme: being polite and assertive are both important."
and#8212;Booklist
"Sometimes you just have to tell people what you want. And what this smart, affecting and original story wants is some well-deserved attention."
and#8212;The New York Times Online
"This would be a fine picture book for a young girl whose good manners could use tweaking."
and#8212;The Wall Street Journal
"This gently paced tale shows children there's room for both courtesy and confidence."
and#8212;Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness, starred review
"[Mary] is endearing in her shy sweetness."
and#8212;The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Review
*A 2015 Caldecott Honor Book* Huffington Post Best Picture Book about Family
An NYPL 100 Books for Reading and Sharing
A 100 Scope Notes Top 20 Book of 2014
* andquot;[Nana in the City] deserves a place on the shelf of classic New York City picture books.andquot;
andmdash;Publishers Weekly, starred review
andquot;Castilloand#39;s soft, warmly colored art expresses the childand#39;s changing feelings about the city while also depicting the charactersand#39; close bond.andquot;
andmdash;Kirkus
andquot;A fine example of how firsthand experience can overcome initial fear.andquot;
andmdash;School Library Journal
andquot;A rewarding picture book with a vibrant setting.andquot;
andmdash;Booklist
andquot;The accessible story arc outlines worthwhile messages about openness to new experiences and changing oneand#39;s persepctive, all couched in the security of spending time with a loved one.andquot;
andmdash;Horn Book Magazine
Review
"The team responsible for the Tacky the Penguin books and Princess Penelope's Parrot (1996), among others, is in rare form in this picture book, in which a swell little guy proves himself a hero to his tormentors. Wodney Wat has a problem: he can't pronounce the letter r, which makes him the butt of constant jokes and teasing. He's so distressed, in fact, that he routinely buries his head in his jacket--the closest he can come to actually disappearing. He thinks he's really in for it when "big, mean, smart" Camilla Capybara appears in Miss Fuzzleworth's classroom. But the tables are deftly turned when Wodney is tapped to lead a game of Simon Says: when he says "Go West" after a tough round of play, guess who does. Munsinger's well-detailed illustrations are superbly funny, a perfect complement to a comical story that will not only make kids laugh but also hearten those who feel they'll be outsiders forever." Booklist, ALA
"Rodney Rat, who can't pronounce his R's, is the shyest, most miserable kid in school, until one day he saves his classmates from the mean bully Camilla Capybara. Wodney's transformation from cowering to empowered is beautifully underscored in the humorous, expressive illustrations. Appealingly, Wodney doesn't need to overcome his impediment to be liked--and it's the impediment itself and Wodney's clever use of it that foils the villain." Horn Book
A shy rodent turns his defect into strength to overcome class bully and save the day. Every page is a delight in this imaginative book, which culminates in surprising word play. Energetic illustrations capture perfectly the characters of timid Rodney, the overbearing Camilla Capybara, and their rowdy rodent classmates.
Parent's Choice (R)
Synopsis
Thereand#8217;s a difference between being polite and being a pushover!
Synopsis
Mary Wrightly is the best-behaved little girl around. She always politely says please and thank you and even "I'm sorry" when something isn't her fault. But when a shopper comes between Mary and the blue elephant toy she wants to buy for her beloved baby brother, will Mary just let the woman walk away with it? Speak up, Mary Monescillo's charming illustrations capture the spirit of this gentle look at how asserting oneself is not rude, and even occasionally out-and-out necessary.
Synopsis
Mary Wrightly is the best-behaved little girl around. She always politely says please and thank you and even and#8220;Iand#8217;m sorryand#8221; when something isnand#8217;t her fault. But when a shopper comes between Mary and the blue elephant toy she wants to buy for her beloved baby brother, will Mary just let the woman walk away with it? Speak up, Mary! Monescilloand#8217;s charming illustrations capture the spirit of this gentle look at how asserting oneself is not rude, and even occasionally out-and-out necessary.
Synopsis
In this magical, Caldecott Honor picture book, a young boy visits his nana and is frightened to find that the city where she lives is filled with noise and crowds and scary things. Then his Nana makes him a special cape to help him be brave, and soon the everyday sights and sounds of the city are not scary, but wonderful.
Synopsis
Poor Rodney Rat can't pronounce his R's and the other rodents tease him mercilessly. But when Camilla Capybara joins Rodney's class and announces that she is bigger, meaner, and smarter than any of the other rodents, everyone is afraid. It seems she really is bigger, meaner, and smarter than all of the rest of them. Until our unwitting hero, Wodney Wat, catches Camilla out in a game of Simon Says. Read along with Wodney as he surprises himself and his classmates by single-handedly saving the whole class from the big bad bully. Children will delight as shy Rodney Rat triumphs over all and his tiny voice decides the day, R's or no R's.
About the Author
Helen Lester and Lynn Munsinger have been together through thick and thin since first publishing The Wizard, the Fairy, and the Magic Chicken in 1983. They have collaborated on the hilarious Tacky the Penguin series and many other wildly funny and popular titles, including the award-winning Hooway for Wodney Wat. Helen Lester is a full-time writer who makes her home in New York, and Lynn Munsinger is a full-time illustrator living in Vermont.LYNN MUNSINGER has illustrated more than ninety books for children. She graduated from Tufts University in Boston and the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, where she majored in illustration. She lives in Connecticut and Vermont.