Reviews: (by author)

Banks, Kate. The Turtle and the Hippopotamus: A Rebus Book. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2002. $16.50. ISBN 0-374-37885-1.

This book is good for the readers' mind; it's an engaging story of a Turtle's quest to cross a river to the side where the food is. But, despite the advice so many of the jungle creatures offer, the turtle fears the hippopotamus that sits in mid-river. Finally, he makes it. Banks puts rebus drawings in a delightful game/puzzle book for young children that Bogacki makes the most of illustrating. The artist offers perspectives on the simple events that are beautifully colored and imagined, humorous and eye-engaging; at the bottom of the page, blocks identify the rebuses in the text. A very good buy.

Highly recommended

A.A. Sp '03

Banks, Kate. Illustrated by Isaac Millman. Howie Bowles and Uncle Sam . New York: Farrar Straus and Giroux, 2000. ISBN 0-374-35116-3. $15.

This is a very amusing story about Howie Bowles, a young fellow who fears his life is over once he discovers he was born not just on the 13th, but on Friday the 13th. As if to confirm his apprehensions, numerous complications arise, including a letter from Uncle Sam-whom Harry doesn't know-telling him he owes $112. Howie attempts a bank loan, which is very funny, and conducts himself throughout all the scenes much as a normal kid with a big problem would-doesn't tell his parents, teacher, etc, but tries his own resolutions. Harry is also having trouble in math and in getting along with his younger siblings, and the humor with which Banks displays her character's trials is enjoyable. The dialog is fast and true; the social situations are valid, and the book is a very good read.

Reviewed by A. Allison

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