Synopses & Reviews
Bat and Rat are two best friends living in the big city. Together these nocturnal pals enjoy their favorite things, like riding the subway, dumpster diving in Chinatown, writing songs, and playing in a band. One hot summer night, while tasting their favorite flavors of ice cream, like mosquito ripple, they find the inspiration for the perfect new tuneandmdash;for they realize their
favorite favorite is each other.
Written in a gentle, sweet style reminiscent of Arnold Lobel and Patrick McDonnell and with charming illustrations, Bat and Rat captures the tenderness of classic picture books with a hip, modern twist.
Praise for Bat and Rat
andldquo;Cordellandrsquo;s starry cityscapes combine with Jenningsandrsquo; gentle text for an agreeable read-aloudandmdash;with a cherry on top.andrdquo;andmdash;Kirkus Reviews
andquot;The clever artwork perfectly complements Jennings's sharp, funny wordplay. Children will delight in this charming story.andquot;
andmdash;School Library Journal
andquot;Cordellandrsquo;s images of jazzy patrons at the Twelve Oandrsquo;Clock Room add interest, while his consistent use of spotlights, streetlights, circular images, and stage lights accentuate and complement Jenningsandrsquo; focused attention on a unique and caring relationship.andquot;
andmdash;Library Media Connection
Review
"The secret of Mr. Marshall's success lies not just in the freshness of his sense of the ridiculous, but in the carefulness of his control and editorial judgment." The New York Times Book Review
Synopsis
Two lovable hippos teach the meaning of friendship in five separate vignettes: "Split Pea Soup," "The Flying Machine," "The Tub," "The Mirror," "The Tooth."
Synopsis
Two lovable hippos impart lessons on the meaning of friendship in five short stories by the picture book master James Marshall.
Like all best friends, George and Martha do everything together. George and Martha teach each other (and adoring readers) that even in a close friendship, privacy is important, practical jokes can sometimes backfire, and among other things, pouring split pea soup into your loafers to spare the chef's feelings is not the best-laid plan. A man with a talent for friendship, James Marshall defined its very essence in his stories about the world's two best friends. Each of these five brief tales is filled with humor, and James Marshall's drawings are guaranteed to spark feelings of empathy, delight, and self-recognition.
Synopsis
In this picture book classic that belongs on every reader's shelf, two lovable hippos impart funny lessons on the true meaning of friendship.
Like all best friends, George and Martha do everything together. George and Martha teach each other (and adoring readers) that even in a close friendship, privacy is important, practical jokes can sometimes backfire, and among other things, pouring split pea soup into your loafers to spare the chef's feelings is not the best-laid plan.
A man with a talent for friendship, James Marshall defined its very essence in his stories about the world's two best friends. Each of these five brief tales is filled with humor, and James Marshall's drawings are guaranteed to spark feelings of empathy, delight, and self-recognition.
Synopsis
Here are five stories about two of the greatest friends ever to grace a picture book. George and Martha, Jim Marshall's dearly beloved, wise, and wickedly funny hippos teach each other the importance of honesty, companionship, discretion, humility, and consolation in this classic. This CD includes the bonus track, George and Martha Back in Town.
Synopsis
andldquo;Rat, I am ready to ROCK!andquot;
andquot;Huh?andquot;
andquot;You said I could sing in the band.andquot;
andquot;When?andquot;
andquot;In the last book.andquot;
andquot;Oh. Right.andquot;
Rat has finally agreed to let his friend Roach sing in his band... but not if Roach makes everyone wear shiny, sparkly outfits. No way! Roach can still sing, though, right?
Wrong. He can't even get out a squeak!
Just when Rat is at his tailandrsquo;s end, he realizes that one thing might bring the sparkle and shine back to Roach's voice. Rat may look a little funny in his glitzy new outfit, but sometimes friendship is totally worth it.
With just the right touch of silly and sweet, Rat and Roach Rock On! gets at the heart of friendship and makes us laugh along the way.
Synopsis
Every day, Snail waits for Fish to come home with a new story.
Today, Fish's story (about pirates!) is too grand to simply be told: Fish wants to show Snail. But that would mean leaving the familiar world of their book—a scary prospect for Snail, who would rather stay safely at home and pretend to be kittens. Fish scoffs that cats are boring; Snail snaps back. Is this book too small for the two feuding friends? Could this be THE END of The Story of Fish and Snail?
Deborah Freedman, author of Blue Chicken, has created a sweet and playful story about friendship that truly jumps off the page.
Synopsis
One day Ollieand#8217;s mother tells him that he is and#8220;a beautiful gift.and#8221; Delighted with this new and#8220;identity,and#8221; Ollie invites his friend Benjamin to guess what it is. When poor Benjamin cannot guess, despite many hints, Ollie refuses to play with him. Seeing that heand#8217;s hurt his friendand#8217;s feelings, Ollie realizes that the best gift of all is friendship. Rohan Henry has wonderfully captured the interactions of young friends as they come to learn how to play together.
About the Author
James Marshall (1942-1992) created dozens of exuberant and captivating books for children, including The Stupids, Miss Nelson Is Missing!, and the ever-popular George and Martha books. Before creating his canon of classic, hilarious childrens books, James Marshall played the viola, studied French, and received a masters degree from Trinity College. He also doodled. It was the doodles, and the unforgettable characters that emerged from them, that led him to his lifes work as one of the finest creators of childrens books of the twentieth century. In 2007, James Marshall was posthumously awarded the Laura Ingalls Wilder medal for his lasting contribution to literature for children.