From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K—The artwork outshines the text in this didactic piece about the importance of caring and friendship. When Mama Ruby, a stuffed kangaroo, and her joey come to live in a new house, the other stuffed toys shun them because they are secondhand. Mama tries hard to help the others out, but they still won't be friends. However, when Little Joe accidentally gets thrown in the garbage, the other animals find their hearts and help Mama rescue him, and everyone is happy and accepted. This story is not subtle. What's more, the reasoning behind two hand-me-down toys being added to a collection of show toys that are never played with is unclear. No children ever appear, and the only human depiction is the hand and leg of the person who takes out the trash. However, the watercolor illustrations are extremely appealing. In a flowered brown print, Mama looks very much like a well-loved toy, Polar Bear looks soft enough to touch, and Camel's disdain, as well as Little Joe's and Mama's dismay, are effectively conveyed. The combination of full-bleed, single-page, and spot art lends a nice flow to the story, and integrates well with the slightly long and uninspired text. Due to the lovely illustrations, libraries that need another story about friendship, acceptance, or toys might want to consider this an additional purchase.—Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Mama Ruby, a stuffed kangaroo, and her son, Little Joe, are hand-me-down toys, recent arrivals to a home where new toys prevail. The other stuffed animals avoid Mama and Joe, with Camel taking the lead in looking down his considerable nose at the pair. Little Joe wants to leave, but Mama realizes there's nowhere to go, and she does her best to make herself helpful to the other animals. Then Little Joe is accidentally carried out with the trash, and now it's Mama who needs help. Will the other animals step up? The end is never much in doubt in this simple yet heartwarming story. What McAllister does well is show the characters' evolution from stuck-up stuffies to caring friends. The other animals learn by example, which is often how children learn as well. The nicely executed watercolors have a friendly feeling. Use this one on one or in groups to talk about values. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
