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'The Perfect Nest'
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[August 15, 2007]
"The Perfect Nest," by
Catherine Friend, illustrated by John Manders, Candlewick Press, 2007, 32 pages,
ages 3-9 years
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Review by
Louella Moreland
It takes a lot to be perfect, and Catherine Friend's new picture book,
"The Perfect Nest," definitely rates in that category. The premise is a
simple one. Jack the Cat wants a perfect egg for an omelet. He comes up with
a plan to attract a perfect chicken to lay that perfect egg. What better way
to attract the perfect chicken than to build the perfect nest!
Jack builds the penthouse of nests, complete with fresh straw, pillows,
Christmas lights, a fan and a "Welcome" mat. A dinner plate of corn is
provided, of course. Jack becomes overjoyed when first a hen, then a duck
and finally a goose all come along declaring his nest a work of art. The
birds' characters are quickly defined as Ms. Friend uses Spanish, French and
"down-home country" in the dialogue of each animal. Each fowl promptly
claims the nest as her own, each laying a perfect egg, while squabbling
about the ownership of this prime property.
Then Jack's plan begins to go awry. They won't leave! Therefore, he must
come up with another plan to make the feathered women abandon the nest so
that he may whip up that breakfast he has envisioned. The resulting antics
and unexpected result will have readers laughing out loud. Children a bit
squeamish about eating "babies" need not fear.
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The illustrations by John Manders are a "perfect" match to the
story. Large two-page spreads covered in country yellows, oranges
and browns are highlighted by John Deere greens and denim blues. The
animals' popeyed faces are full of expression, action abounds, and
humor erupts from the pages. Although simply drawn, the
illustrations provide a wealth of detail that brings this funny
story to life. Arrows point the way to the door of the barn,
feathers fly as tempers flair, and Jack's disguises as he attempts
to extricate the birds leave us delighting in the blend of
illustration to text. Even the endpapers and back of the book share
a part of the story. From sun up to sundown, life on the farm takes
many unplanned twists.
The large, bold print and foreign expressions (that even a novice
can accomplish) beg to be spoken out loud and shared with a little
one. Take time to let this charming story envelop your senses and
tickle your funny bone. "The Perfect Nest" should be on every
reader's list for fall.
To check out this book or others about the farm, come see us at
the Lincoln Public Library, 725 Pekin St. We will help you find a
book that is "perfect" for you!
[Text from file received from
Louella Moreland, youth services librarian,
Lincoln Public Library District] |
