From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-One Monday, little Bonnie Bumble discovers that her pussy willow has blossomed with live pussycats, all loudly meowing and disturbing the barnyard animals. She tries to soothe them with food, catnip, petting, brushing, and a ball of yarn, but to no avail. Finally, baby bottles taken from the milkweed bush do the trick, and the pussy willows settle down for a catnap. "'Quiet at last,' sighed Bonnie Bumble. And it was-until the dogwood started to bloom." The story has a winning combination of spare, well-chosen words and lively, crisp pacing. The simply drawn ink-and-watercolor cartoons are particularly expressive. This book is a great springtime (or anytime) read, especially when pussy willows are available for display and the time is ripe for introducing the differences between plants and animals, or just for sheer enjoyment.
Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, NJ Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Reviewed with Phyllis Root's Foggy Friday.
Ages 4-8. The author of a number of picture books, Root has carved a niche for herself by using homespun observations and the playful use of rural undertones. Foggy Friday and Meow Monday , featuring plucky protagonist Bonnie Bumble, cheerfully follow suit. In Friday , Bonnie's faithful farm alarm--a dazzling two-tone rooster--misplaces his cock-a-doodle-doo in the haze of early morning. Other animals try, unsuccessfully, to take the rooster's place ("oink-a-oodle-oo," "moo-a-moodle-moo") as Bonnie searches for the missing squawk. In Monday , the girlish farmer finds her pussy willows are in full bloom, complete with hungry meows. What restores barnyard tranquillity? Milkweed, of course--until the dogwood begins to howl. Craig lends not only bursts of color, but a vision of soft-spoken humor to these thoughtful little stories. REVWR
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