Edwin Speaks Up, April Stevens, Schwartz and Wade, 2011
Format: Picture Book
Rating: 1-5 (5 is excellent or a Starred review) 4
Genre: Picture Book
What did you like about the book? Children will enjoy this story about a little ferret who tries to communicate to his family through baby talk. Edwin is the youngest child in a family of ferrets. Mother and siblings are off to the supermarket to do some shopping, but their frantic pace causes many mistakes that Edwin tries to tell them about. Mom leaves her purse on the roof of the car while Edwin babbles: “Figbutton noo noo POCKY BOOKY froppin ROOF” and forgets the sugar for the birthday cake “Rootin popel CART no no SWEETY”. Children will love how this little guy knows more than his family thinks. The story ends with mom saying: “Tomorrow is Edwin’s birthday…Soon he’ll be talking. Can you even imagine that?” and young readers will know that Edwin has been talking all along. The illustrations by Sophie Blackall, of Chinese ink, watercolor and gouache, perfectly complement the story. Children will love the frenetic scenes of the ferret siblings as they cavort in the car and the store.
What didn’t you like about the book? Not a thing.
To whom would you recommend this book? This is a wonderful story to give to toddlers who are trying hard to be heard as well as for older siblings, who often understand more that adults what babies are saying. It would be enjoyed by harried moms who will identify Edwin’s mom and appreciate her calm.
Who should buy this book? Public Libraries
Where would you shelve it and why? Picture Books
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles?
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Catherine Coyne, The Ames Free Library, Easton
Date of review: 7/3/12
, Schwartz and Wade, 2011
Format: Picture Book
Rating: 1-5 (5 is excellent or a Starred review) 4
Genre: Picture Book
What did you like about the book? Children will enjoy this story about a little ferret who tries to communicate to his family through baby talk. Edwin is the youngest child in a family of ferrets. Mother and siblings are off to the supermarket to do some shopping, but their frantic pace causes many mistakes that Edwin tries to tell them about. Mom leaves her purse on the roof of the car while Edwin babbles: “Figbutton noo noo POCKY BOOKY froppin ROOF” and forgets the sugar for the birthday cake “Rootin popel CART no no SWEETY”. Children will love how this little guy knows more than his family thinks. The story ends with mom saying: “Tomorrow is Edwin’s birthday…Soon he’ll be talking. Can you even imagine that?” and young readers will know that Edwin has been talking all along. The illustrations by Sophie Blackall, of Chinese ink, watercolor and gouache, perfectly complement the story. Children will love the frenetic scenes of the ferret siblings as they cavort in the car and the store.
What didn’t you like about the book? Not a thing.
To whom would you recommend this book? This is a wonderful story to give to toddlers who are trying hard to be heard as well as for older siblings, who often understand more that adults what babies are saying. It would be enjoyed by harried moms who will identify Edwin’s mom and appreciate her calm.
Who should buy this book? Public Libraries
Where would you shelve it and why? Picture Books
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles?
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Catherine Coyne, The Ames Free Library, Easton
Date of review: 7/3/12
