My Kite Is Stuck! and Other Stories (Duck, Duck, Porcupine #2)

K-Gr 2--The delightful trio from Duck, Duck, Porcupine are back in three short stories of friendship. In the first, Big Duck gets a kite stuck in a tree. Porcupine and Big Duck attempt to knock it free but succeed only in getting more objects--a ball, a Hula-hoop, a ladder--stuck in the branches. In the second tale, Big Duck is jealous when Porcupine befriends Bee, making Big Duck jealous until she meets Ladybug. When a spider lands on Little Duck, the others assume that he has made a new friend, too. In the final tale, Big Duck and Porcupine are so focused on making a lemonade stand that they forget all about the lemonade. Good thing Little Duck is prepared. A step up from Mo Willems's "Elephant and Piggie" in reading level, Yoon's beginning reader is thoughtfully designed. The comic book layout of panels bordered in black draws attention to the sequential action. The humorous, full-color digital illustrations feature welcoming, curving black outlines. The all-dialogue black text is printed in a large font in white speech bubbles against solid colored backgrounds. The text is grounded in short, declarative, sight word--heavy sentences. Occasionally, a new word is introduced without a clear visual context clue, but in general the text is strongly supported by illustrations as well as by frequent word repetition. Contractions--"don't," "can't," "let's"--are used in a natural way, making for a smooth flow. VERDICT Cheerful, approachable, and thoughtfully created, this beginning reader will find a welcome home in public and school libraries.--Amy Seto Forrester, Denver Public Library

"The simple digital art, bold, with thick black outlines and vivid colors, expertly uses facial expressions and body language to support the text." - Kirkus Reviews

"A step up from Mo Willems's "Elephant and Piggie" in reading level, Yoon's beginning reader is thoughtfully designed. . . . Cheerful, approachable, and thoughtfully created, this beginning reader will find a welcome home in public and school libraries." - School Library Journal

"[A] wonderfully engaging easy reader. The simply drawn digital cartoon characters exude personality and charm. . . . This collection of small dramas is just right for fledgling readers and perfect for read-alouds and reader's theater productions." - starred review, School Library Journal on DUCK, DUCK, PORCUPINE!

"A simple chapter book/graphic novel to engage the youngest new readers." - Kirkus Reviews on DUCK, DUCK, PORCUPINE!

"Novice readers will find success here. . . . Yoon's crisp, clean art has a coloring-book-like simplicity that will appeal to youngsters. . . . Kids (and the adults who work with them) can never have too many attractive, well-written beginning readers, and this trio of cuties is a welcome addition to the genre." - BCCB on DUCK, DUCK, PORCUPINE!

"A sweet, visually striking story of friendship and acceptance." - starred review, Booklist on BE A FRIEND

"This comforting story successfully addresses the common fear of storms for a young audience . . . This storm's impact has no lasting power against a family's love." - School Library Journal on STORMY NIGHT

"Readers will appreciate the graduating reassurances that range from self-soothing to group hugs . . . Youngsters will empathize with Bear and derive comfort from the loving togetherness his family displays while keeping the storm at bay." - Kirkus Reviews on STORMY NIGHT

"A terrific combination for preschoolers and early readers who will sympathize with Bear's competing desires." - The New York Times Book Review on FOUND

"A thoughtful, flawlessly executed exploration of theory of mind and emotional intelligence." - starred review, Publishers Weekly on FOUND