HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW
Book: Here Come Poppy and Max
Author and Illustrator: Lindsey Gardiner
Publisher: Orchard/Watts Group, republished in 2001
ISBN-13: 978-0316603461 (hardcover)
ISBN-10: 0316603465 (hardcover)
ISBN-13: 978-1841216003 (paperback)
ISBN-10: 1841216003 (paperback)
Language level: 1
(1=nothing objectionable; 2=common euphemisms and/or childish slang terms; 3=some cursing or profanity; 4=a lot of cursing or profanity; 5=obscenity and/or vulgarity)
Reading level: Ages 3 to 7
Rating: 5 stars (EXCELLENT)
Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker
Disclosure: Any books donated for review purposes are in turn donated to a library. No other compensation has been received for the reviews posted on Home School Book Review.
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Gardiner, Lindsey. Here Come Poppy and Max (published in 2000 Little, Brown). Gangly, black-haired Poppy loves different kinds of animals. She and her dog Max imitate all her favorites by walking tall like a giraffe, waddling like a penguin, leaping like a leopard, and bouncing like a kangaroo. They can roar like a tiger, splash like a duck, and stand on one leg like a flamingo. But when everything is said and done, Poppy’s favorite animal is Max, and Max loves Poppy just the way she is. In this debut picture book from author and illustrator Lindsey Gardiner, who is a fabric designer, broad swatches of textured color paint the background, as a smiling, rag-doll-like Poppy and a spotted Max leap, roar, and waddle in the foreground.
Poppy’s outfits change to match each animal, such as polka dots for the leopard or yellow boots for the splashing duck. The stunning illustrations that take primary colors to places they have never been before will quickly capture children’s attention. The story promotes development but keeps things short and simple so that the pages can be turned before a child loses interest. Youngsters will enjoy playing along with Poppy. Other books in the series include When Poppy and Max Grow Up, Poppy and Max and the Lost Puppy, Poppy and Max and the River Picnic, Poppy and Max and the Noisy Night, and Poppy and Max and the Big Wave. All are illustrated by Gardiner, but the last four have text by Sally Grindley.
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