Author Archives: cmcook622

I Didn’t Do My Homework Because

I Didn't Do My Homework Because Book Cover The negotiation between teacher and student begins as the narrator tries to convince his teacher that his incomplete homework is not his fault. Subsequently more and more absurd, humorous homework excuses are revealed on each page. Giant lizards invaded the neighborhood, there was a problem with carnivorous plants, and elves hid all of the student’s pencils. But the teacher cannot be outsmarted: she’s read the same book. Detailed pen-and-ink illustrations enhance the hilarious text, exemplifying the great lengths students will go to in hopes of avoiding homework. cc
Title: I Didn’t Do My Homework Because
Author: Davide Cali
Illustrator
: Benjamin Chaud
Publisher
: Chronicle Books LLC
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-4521-2551-0
Hardcover pages
: 44
Age range
: 6 up
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: France
Illustrator’s residence
: France
Subjects
: Europe, France, Homework, Humorous stories, Schools, Western Europe

Donkeys

Donkeys Book Cover In this simple tale, two stubborn donkeys, Jack and Jenny, have loved each other since the day they first met.  When Jack forgets a special day, their silver anniversary, a silly argument ensues and the pair decides to part ways in search of their perfect match. The cow is too spotted, the goat is too scrawny, and the donkeys fail to find a suitable replacement.  With the help of a lonesome camel, they realize that no other match is as befitting as the two of them together. Intricate pastel illustrations convey each donkey’s unique personality. mjw
Title: Donkeys
Author: Adelheid Dahimene
Illustrator
: Heide Stollinger
Publisher
: NorthSouth Books Inc./NordSud Verlag AG
Copyright
: 2014
Original language
: German
Translator
: Catherine Chidgey
Original title
: ESEL
Original publisher
: Residenz Verlag im Niederosterreichischen Pressehaus Druck und Verlagsgesellschaft mbH
Original copyright
: 2002
ISBN
: 978-0-7358-4160-4
Hardcover pages
: 48
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: Austria
Illustrator’s residence
: Austria
Awards
: 2003 Austrian Children’s Books Prize Honor, 2002 Most Beautiful Book of Austria
Subjects
: Donkeys, Europe, Relationships, Western Europe

The Weasel Puffin Unicorn Baboon Pig Lobster Race

The Weasel Puffin Unicorn Lobster Race Book Cover In this psychedelic children’s story, the reader follows six competitive creatures as they claw, charge, and cheat their way to the finish line using custard trampolines, banana diggers, and chocolate submarines to navigate through each animal’s unique terrain.  A lone competitor stays truthful, giving a twist to the story’s end.  His morality helps convey an important lesson: cheats never prosper.  Dream-like illustrations complement imaginative, quirky rhyme.  A simple recipe for cheat’s fool, a dessert, follows the text. cc
Title: The Weasel Puffin Unicorn Baboon Pig Lobster Race
Author: James Thorp
Illustrator
: Angus Mackinnon
Publisher
: Digital Leaf
Copyright
: 2013
Original language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-909428-02-7
Hardcover pages
: 56
Age range
: 4-9
Genre
: Picture book
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Animals, England, Racing, Western Europe