Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Beatrix the parrot: threat or menace? She really is a loving bird; in fact, she's constantly telling the other animals in her cottage home that she loves them. But she's so clueless and so loud-and doesn't she ever sleep? It's hard to be her friend and to keep her out of harm's way, although Mouse certainly tries. He's assisted by basset hound Gracie and hampered by Kitty, who believes there's an easy (and tasty) solution to the Beatrix problem. And that's the whole story-just a series of funny, often wordless misadventures and mishaps featuring a lead character whose energetic, blissfully obtuse personality is as vivid as her bright green feathers. But it's a lovely book: Judge (Born in the Wild) uses aqueous, shimmering blues for her environments so that the furs, feathers, and marvelous expressions of her cast pop. It also demands, in the best possible way, that readers slow down and pore over every picture. It's easy to imagine the many warm, giggling interchanges that snuggling with this book will inspire. Ages 4-8. Agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-All of her friends are sleeping, but Beatrix the parrot is wide awake. She knows she is supposed to be quiet and tries to talk softly but a loud "GOOD MORNING, MOUSE!" wakes up the snoozing rodent. This sets off a lively commotion as Beatrix wakes up Kitty and is thrilled to see Gracie the dog and the goldfish. Beatrix's excitement leads to her being chased by the cat, riding on the dog, and falling in the fish bowl. Watercolor and pencil illustrations vary between full-page spreads and comic book-style frames. Soft colors contrast the bright green and yellow of Beatrix the parrot. VERDICT Children who have a hard time with indoor voices will relate to Beatrix's enthusiastic nature.-Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga Public Library System, OH © Copyright 2015. 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
Against a soft blue reflecting the mornings quiet and stillness, Beatrix the parrots bright green feathers stand out as sharp and clear as her morning energy: Look, theres Mouse. Mouse is asleep. I LOVE Mouse. Beatrix tried to talk softly. GOOD MORNING, MOUSE! She promises groggy Mouse an indoor voice and good behavior, but her next victim is sleeping Kitty -- from whom she herself soon needs an urgent rescue. Watercolor and pencil illustrations create energy that builds with every page turn as Beatrixs enthusiasm for morning fun leads to more and more trouble. Soon she commands from atop Gracie the dog, careening around the house, and then nearly drowns in the goldfish bowl. Sequential panels move the plot along at breakneck speed while interspersed single pages and double-page spreads create dramatic pauses. With very little narration, the crisp text consists almost completely of dialogue among the animals, and their strong personalities come through in their expressive eyes and body language. Beatrix is at once incredibly frustrating and undeniably lovable, and no creature -- or reader -- can resist her for long, making this tribute to rude awakenings a joy to read and share. julie roach (c) Copyright 2015. 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
Unlike her snoozing friend Mouse, Beatrix is a morning personer, parrot, who rises both in full voice and fully ready to torment the household cat.Beatrix knows she's supposed to be quiet, but she loves everyone and sometimes just can't keep it in. Poor Mousethe slumbering rodent is blasted awake by the parrot's hearty "GOOD MORNING, MOUSE!" and then must grab a fork and spring to the rescue when the feathered fiend proves a touch too slow making an escape after waking Kitty (a fat and wonderfully disgruntled-looking Siamese) with a doggy "Rrrruuff!" Nor is the morning rumpus over as, following a furniture-upsetting skitter through the house with Gracie the beagle, the pernicious parrot needs rescue again after falling into the goldfish bowl! Beatrix's irrepressible character stands out as brightly as her green and gold plumage in the loosely drawn illustrations, which Judge has otherwise toned down with washes of pale color and sometimes indistinct background details. Mouse's enraged response to Beatrix's chipper "What should we play next?" results in an apology, a (brief) return to peace and quiet, and an affectionate closing nuzzle. Young children who share Beatrix's morning hyperactivity, or even just her flexible relationship with the idea of an "indoor voice," will certainly relateas will, without doubt, their parents. A few hearty squawks and a brisk bit of exercisewhat better way to start the day? (Picture book. 5-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
