When Otis Courted Mama - Rilegato

* "This excellent take on modern, blended families melds a believable, resonant story arc and winsome, child-appealing illustrations."

—Kirkus, starred review

"McElmurry's...gouache illustrations revel in the desert setting, her homey paintings evoking the look of weather-beaten folk art while contributing to the story's overall humor and sweetness."

—Publishers Weekly

 

* "This excellent take on modern, blended families melds a believable, resonant story arc and winsome, child-appealing illustrations."

—Kirkus, starred review

 

Praise for novels by Kathi Appelt: "With quiet brilliance, this picture book in five chapters enters the cocoon of a child's private world... Appelt's Texan lilt brings a burst of energy to the storytelling. Future titles in this new series will be welcomed." --Booklist "As comforting as morning sun, this sweet, tenderly illustrated rhyming poem will reassure both preschoolers and their working parents that separation is only temporary."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)   Praise for Jill McElmurry's picture books: "McElmurry's (Mad About Plaid) gouaches recall the heyday of Golden Books in their combination of vividness, naïveté and sweetness, and her rich palette achieves verisimilitude that is no less satisfying for being nostalgic."  --Publishers Weekly, starred review "Warm folk-art illustrations call to mind the paintings of Grandma Moses." --School Library Journal “Her [McElmurry] text and watercolor artwork capture the exuberance of the creative spirit alongside the quirks of a character accepting his limitations...the scenes will have readers longing for crisp autumn air.” --Publishers Weekly (starred review) "And, oh the pictures! Both old-timey and lush." --Booklist (starred review)

* "This excellent take on modern, blended families melds a believable, resonant story arc and winsome, child-appealing illustrations."

—Kirkus, starred review

"McElmurry's...gouache illustrations revel in the desert setting, her homey paintings evoking the look of weather-beaten folk art while contributing to the story's overall humor and sweetness."

—Publishers Weekly

"Like Otis, Appelt is a gifted storyteller, and families whose circumstances echo Cardell’s will welcome this gentle story, which is nicely augmented by illustrator McElmurry’s gouache pictures, with their vivid desert colors."

—Booklist

 

* "This excellent take on modern, blended families melds a believable, resonant story arc and winsome, child-appealing illustrations." —Kirkus, starred review "McElmurry's...gouache illustrations revel in the desert setting, her homey paintings evoking the look of weather-beaten folk art while contributing to the story's overall humor and sweetness." —Publishers Weekly "Like Otis, Appelt is a gifted storyteller, and families whose circumstances echo Cardell’s will welcome this gentle story, which is nicely augmented by illustrator McElmurry’s gouache pictures, with their vivid desert colors." —Booklist * "Well, like Otis, this exquisitely told tale is a welcome addition to any collection." —School Library Journal, starred review "Author and illustrator deliver on both substance and humor, capturing childlike emotions and conveying them in witty, comforting prose and in accompanying pictures of coyotes in bandanas and ten-gallon hats...With a sympathetic and charming main character, this story will be particularly relevant for a child with a blended family." —Bulletin  

* "This excellent take on modern, blended families melds a believable, resonant story arc and winsome, child-appealing illustrations." —Kirkus, starred review "McElmurry's...gouache illustrations revel in the desert setting, her homey paintings evoking the look of weather-beaten folk art while contributing to the story's overall humor and sweetness." —Publishers Weekly "Like Otis, Appelt is a gifted storyteller, and families whose circumstances echo Cardell’s will welcome this gentle story, which is nicely augmented by illustrator McElmurry’s gouache pictures, with their vivid desert colors." —Booklist * "Well, like Otis, this exquisitely told tale is a welcome addition to any collection." —School Library Journal, starred review