Review of FOUR LEGS BAD, TWO LEGS GOOD!

Johnson, D.B. 2007. FOUR LEGS BAD, TWO LEGS GOOD! Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 978-0-618-80909-7. $16.00.

While most of the animals of the No-Man Farm are working hard to keep it running, Orvie the pig is not. When Duck discovers Orvie is a lazy despot rather than a hard-working farmer, he decides to do something about it. Duck pulls the plug on their routine challenging the validity of the way things are.

Johnson’s layout includes Picasso-like, mixed media illustrations and hand-lettered text. Many pages are presented in a series of comic book frames and conversations are presented in speech bubbles. This format is likely to hold young readers’ attention by illustrating sequencing and dialog. Though this book may prove to be over the heads of its primary audience, its usefulness is clear. The lazy pig and pestering duck are sure to strike a chord with young children. Give this book several readings if you want to catch all the details creatively peppered throughout its pages.

“Slightly cubist, cartoon-like illustrations in mixed media capture the lighthearted politics of this comic animal farm.” (Kirkus Review, 2007)
“…More than a few adults sharing it with kids will be tempted to revisit the classic.” (School Library Journal, 2007)

Recommended use: Read aloud, story time, or independent reading for children ages 5-12 years. This is a good story for discussing team work and equality as well as more weighty topics such as oppression and prejudice.

Review of UN LEON EN LA BIBLIOTECA (LIBRARY LION)

Knudsen, Michelle. Kevin Hawkes (Ill.) 2006 (Spanish translation, 2007). UN LEÓN EN LA BIBLIOTECA. New York: Lectorum. ISBN 978-1-933032-30-6

How important are rules? If the rules don’t apply, then what? As a lion walks through the library sniffing and rubbing, El Señor McBee wonders just that. The wise librarian, Señora Buendía, responds, “déjelo estar” (let him stay). This thoughtful story challenges readers to consider, “When is it ok to break the rules?”

Hawkes’ acrylic and pencil illustrations use soothing, muted tones reflecting the calm library environment. Even the text is a light brown shade rather than the traditional black. When the lion leaves, the text and illustrations make it evident he is missed—down to the wilting plant in the window. Throughout the story, wide-open eyes and mouths agape emphasize the text’s meaning. Señor McBee’s scowling face reveals a jealousy at which the words merely hint and text within the illustrations emphasizes the vehemence of Lion’s roar.

The Spanish translation of the text flows well with few unfamiliar terms. The phrase “mostrador de préstamo” (circulation desk) is new to me, but familiar to a colleague from Monterrey, Mexico. Teresa Mlawer’s translation uses formal yet accessible Spanish to relay Knudsen’s story. Criticas says, “kids will be drawn to [the lion], to the library, and to storytime.”

Recommended use: read aloud, story time, or independent picture walks for readers ages 5-9 years. Good story for beginning of the year “Rules” lesson or “How to respond in an emergency” lesson.