Review by New York Times Review
Why is throwing things so much fun? Even 2-year-olds like to do iL But when Sophie, a well-meaning mouse, elects to hurl food at the dinner table and to fling freshly folded laundry around the house, despite repeated entreaties to the contrary, it becomes an issue. Wells understands the toddler's contradictory urges to please and to thwart, and tells her story in a 2-year-old's straightforward declarative style. Sophie's bemused (but not necessarily bested) facial expression during the special purgatory that is "timeout" is priceless. BELLA'S RULES By Elissa Haden Guest. Illustrated by Abigail Halpin. 32 pp. Dial. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 3 to 5) Children enjoy making rules; children enjoy breaking rules. Bella finds born a lot of fun - as long as she's in charge. However, the vivacious Bella, drawn with affection and humor by Halpin (who also illustrates several middle-grade series), has her own idea of what's appropriate - candy for breakfast, no washing your hair ever, no such thing as bedtime - that doesn't jibe with that of her parents. Here is an impish heroine who will win over children, and once a new puppy teaches her the value of doing what she's told (within reason), parents will be disarmed as well. NO FITS, NILSON! Written and illustrated by Zachariah OHora. 32 pp. Dial. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 3 to 5) Small children have been known to throw tantrums at the slightest provocation. Apparently, turquoise gorillas are equally susceptible. While Amelia likes to do everything with her oversize friend, she knows that sometimes "all it takes is a tiny bump . . . and Nilson throws the biggest, most house shaking-est fit ever!!" And wouldn't you know? They both get a timeout. Amelia, a black-bobbed cutie in a red jumper, soon learns to head off these occasions with a repeated warning. "'No fits, Nilson!' she'll say." She uses all the recognizable tricks: diversion, enticement, encouragement. These things work, and so does this charmingly original take on an evergreen concern. ANTON AND THE BATTLE Written and illustrated by Ole Konnecke. 32 pp. Gecko Press. $18.95. (Picture book; ages 3 to 6) Warmongers everywhere understand that opponents often unite in the face of a common enemy. Thus, little Anton, after engaging his nemesis, Luke, in a round of competitive one-upmanship ("I can lift a stone this big!" "I can lift a stone THIS big!"), forgets their rivalry when menaced by "a big dog." (He's actually an adorable yapping puppy.) This is the third book about Musketeer-hatted Anton (known as Anthony in the first translation of this European import), and the hero is as relatable and appealing as ever. Neither boy can declare victory, but the book is a winner. HOW TO NEGOTIATE EVERYTHING By David Spellman with Lisa Lutz. Illustrated by Jaime Temairik. 32 pp. Simon & Schuster. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8) Negotiation between parent and offspring may be out of fashion with child development experts, but don't tell that to parents in the midst of a chicken-nugget-vs.-spinach showdown. Fashioned as a motivational manual ("Have you ever wanted something and didn't get it?" "We feel your pain"), this humorous book shows children how to turn the tables in their favor. "There are very few things in life that you can't get if you ask for them in a rational manner and offer something in return. That's called 'negotiating.'" Watch they don't learn too well. PAMELA PAUL ONLINE A slide show of this week's illustrated books at nytimes.com/books.
Copyright (c) The New York Times Company [May 26, 2013]
Review by Booklist Review
Ohora's unusual palette of subdued colors, such as mustard and turquoise, highlights a unique character: Nilson, an oversize gorilla with an armload of watches and a pork-pie hat. His unusual name and propensity for tantrums create distance with his audience. The tantrum he throws early in the book covers a two-page spread and blows the helmet right off his friend Amelia's head. We would never behave like that . . . or would we? Amelia takes seriously her job of keeping Nilson under control, with behavioral reminders, promises of rewards, and even some serious staring. But when the tables are turned, it is Nilson who provides a lesson about sharing. In this story about feelings, Nilson dominates almost every page with his emotions clearly on display. But abundant white space and uncluttered illustrations provide a sense of control and calm, even in the midst of turmoil, making this a gentle lesson in behavior and friendship.--Ching, Edie Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
When one is a small child with a temper, it helps to have a friend whose temper is even worse. Amelia's closest pal is a mammoth blue gorilla named Nilson, and when she accidentally knocks over his building block structure, he has "the biggest, most house shaking-est fit ever!!" The techniques Amelia uses to help Nilson maintain his composure while running errands with Amelia's mother are hilariously familiar: she hands him her froggy purse to hold in a slow-moving post office line; then, as he hankers after a fellow subway passenger's banana, she stares him down "with a gorilla eye lock, repeating the words banana ice cream over and over." Yet when Nilson gets the last banana ice cream, it's Amelia who throws a fit. "I'll get chocolate instead," Nilson offers gallantly. OHora's (Stop Snoring, Bernard!) rough, woodcutlike acrylic paintings are a delight, and there are quirky details to be savored everywhere, from the buff weightlifter at the post office to the neat rows of Gorilla Krunch at the grocery store. Nilson's (and Amelia's) struggle to behave will leave a lasting impression. Ages 3-5. Agent: Sean McCarthy, Sheldon Fogelman Agency. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Amelia's constant companion is a giant teal-colored gorilla. She and Nilson play well together, but he occasionally gets frustrated or angry, causing him to throw tantrums. Whenever he threatens to lose his cool, Amelia is there to soothe him by saying, "No fits, Nilson" and offer a pleasant alternative. But sometimes, she needs calming, too. Nilson quells the little girl's temper by letting her take the last banana ice-cream cone while he partakes of the chocolate one instead. Parents will not be surprised to discover in the last picture that Nilson is really a reasonably sized stuffed animal that Amelia uses as a coping tool. The matte illustrations are done in a vibrant palette and give the book an old-fashioned look. Nilson hulks over petite Amelia, but his fierce demeanor is balanced by a heart-shaped patch of tummy fur and a childlike choice of accessories. The simple text set against lots of white space makes this a good read-aloud. Many children will readily identify with this not-too-scary gorilla whose emotions are kept in check by an endearing youngster-or vice versa.-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
When Amelia's loose-cannon pet gorilla, Nilson, throws fits, she calms him. But their roles reverse when the ice cream truck runs out of banana ice cream right before Amelia's turn. In acrylic illustrations that recall woodcuts, Nilson is a giant--until book's end, when, cuddling with Amelia, he's stuffed-animal-size; this nods to the story's fantasy aspect while preserving its sweet emotional essence. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Amelia helps a 9-foot blue gorilla named Nilson avoid tantrums by repeatedly reminding him, "No fits, Nilson!" Chunky, acrylic illustrations depict age-old meltdown triggers: a toppled block tower, uncooperative sneakers that just (eeergh!) won't get (oof!) on your feet and boring grown-up errands. Cheery matte colors, crisp white spaces and thick black outlines carve out a child's binary world, in which moods run from hot to cold in a mercurial minute. When Nilson rages, his simian eyes squint, his shoulders hulk, and his mouth spews GAARRRGHH! in oversized, black, block letters. Children will empathize and, thanks to Nilson's absurdity (this ape wears a newsboy cap, multiple watches and Adidas), see tantrums for what they really are--disproportionate and silly. Amelia, a cutie with hair clips, an inky bob, stripy tights and a monster scooter helmet, seems to always keep her cooluntil the ice-cream truck runs out of her favorite banana flavor. Watch out! Readers sigh with relief when Nilson shares his scoop, and another fit is averted; they giggle with unexpected pleasure when Amelia kisses him good night and see that he's a pint-sized stuffed animal who's actually been helping her manage her feelings all along. Foot-stomping fit pitchers will take multiple timeouts for this amusing modern fable. (Picture book. 2-4)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
