Margery Cuyler - Reviews

Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler
Ill. by Sachiko Yoshikawa

“Most children will enjoy the story, and teachers will find the lesson aptly told. Recommended wherever values education is taught. – Booklist

“Cuyler has coined a catchy refrain and opts for lingo that is casual and hip. But the comedy of classroom chaos is most entertainingly rendered by the illustrator, Sachiko Yoshikawa. . . . Yoshikawa’s everyday scenes of courtesy and responsibility look heavenly: fluffy white clouds frame the vignettes and float across fields of heart-strewn pink. The kids’ spherical faces resemble cartoon confections, and the cutout hearts, marking their achievements, look good enough to lick.”
-- The New York Times Sunday Book Review

“Teachers will find the lesson aptly told.” – Booklist

That’s Good! That’s Bad! in Washington DC
Ill. by Michael Garland

“Cuyler’s third ‘Good/Bad’ title involves a field trip to the nation’s capital. The young protagonist has trouble from the moment he boards the DC Duck bus, through his whirlwind tour of monuments and the zoo, to his final splash into the Tidal Basin. . . . . The sound effects and refrain allow plenty of opportunities for audience participation.” -- School Library Journal

Please Play Safe! Penguin's Guide to Playground Safety
Ill. by Will Hillenbrand

Penguin's second outing is all about playground safety, with a healthy dose of good manners and respect thrown in for good measure. From taking turns on equipment and sharing toys, to getting friends to play games and cleaning up when it's time to go home, Cuyler covers all the bases. Hillenbrand masterfully portrays facial expressions on his simple cartoon animals, making it clear to even the youngest of readers what the friends are feeling when the playground rules are broken. So expressive are his characters that the text does not spell out why the rule needs to be followed-youngsters can see the panic on Hippo's face when she is sliding down the slide and Bear starts to crawl up, for instance. Penguin's fans will be happy to learn that the author/illustrator team has kept the same format: A blatant wrongdoing is followed by the question, "Is that right?" A turn of the page, and likely a chorus from listeners, reveals, "No, that's wrong," while the text and illustrations demonstrate how to do things the right way. Required reading for parents and children alike.-- Kirkus Reviews

PreSchool-Grade 2-This child-friendly guide is set up as a series of don'ts and dos. Each vignette shows the repercussions of doing something thoughtlessly-jumping off a seesaw too quickly, climbing up a slide, kicking sand-followed by the proper way to play. Children can participate in the story by replying to the question asked at the end of each don't-Is that right?-with the refrain, No, that's wrong, before Penguin explains the safe way to behave. The text is simple enough for beginners since the softly shaded, multimedia color illustrations provide excellent visual clues. The pictures are full of active animals under the watchful tutelage of whistle-wearing Penguin. A fun addition. - School Library Journal.

This helpful book cleverly plays on young children's burgeoning sense of irony. Instead of dutifully listing the way kids should act on the playground, little ones get this: "When Elephant plays on the seesaw, he should jump off quickly so that his friend bumps to the ground. Is that right?" Kids will enjoy screaming "No!" at the top of their lungs. Then they can consider the advice offered on the next page: the elephant should "stay put until his friend climbs off." There are discussions about playing on the monkey bars (given by a chimp), sliding down a slide, jumping rope, and lots more. Hillenbrand's artwork features simply shaped, high-spirited animals outlined in black. All the fun they are having is contagious. Whether kids will remember these rules of the road (playground version) when they are on-site remains to be seen, but they will certainly like this activity-filled trip to the park.
-- Booklist

Penguin and his friends travel together to the playground to play but, just like all little kids, in their excitement they sometimes forget how to behave. Penguin, with his whistle around his neck, notices when his friends are misbehaving and sets about to correct them. He wants to know if one should jump off a seesaw, climb up a slide, kick sand in someone's face, or swing across the monkey bars when they are in use. Of course the answer to these questions and others is a resounding no, but Penguin does not stop there. He gently reminds his friends about the proper way to use the playground equipment and the proper and polite way to play with playground friends. Subtitled Penguins Guide to Playground Safety , this picture book is an excellent introduction to playground etiquette for the littlest of playground participants. It is a must read book for playground visitors both big and small. - Children's Literature

Groundhog Stays Up Late
Ill. by Jean Cassels

Convinced that he's been missing out on wintertime fun, Groundhog refuses to hibernate, even though his forest mates -- Squirrel, Bear, Badger, Rabbit, Rox -- warn that he'll be lonely, hungry, and reneging on his unique responsibility. "How else will you wake up on February second and look at your shadow so we'll know when spring is coming?" reasons Badger. When their prediction proves right, Groundhog fools them into waking up and sharing their food hoards by convincing them that spring has come a month early. His friends get their revenge by painting a groundhog-shaped shadow on the ground. ("It looked a little strange and it was a funny color, but it had to be his") so that the rodent retreats to his den and misses spring altogether (the final page, however, finds him ready to revel on New Year's Eve). Cuyler's restrained, unadorned storytelling bubbles with comic winks, and its leisurely pace will encourage even antsy youngsters to snuggle into her cozy prose rhythms. Cassels's handsome gouache paintings seem inspired by the stylized design aesthetic of vintage murals; even though many of her pictures occupy a half page or less, they possess a commanding sense of scale and drama. As for Groundhog, he's a terrific foil for all this visual elegance -- a Falstaffian figure sporting a jaunty red scarf and with a nose for fun. -- Publishers Weekly

Groundhog prefers playing with his forest friends to preparing for winter, and despite warnings from Bear and Badger he doesn't bother to collect food or locate a shelter. He finds the first snow exhilarating, but building snow forts and throwing snowballs isn't much fun all by himself. Finally, desperate for food, he resorts to a fake declaration of spring, which brings out everyone for a party. A sudden snowstorm unmasks his trick, so the other animals plan a trick of their own--a painted shadow that fools Groundhog on February 2. Cassels' brightly colored gouache illustrations capture Groundhog 's exuberance and the details of his cozy forest home. Children who like to test limits will identify with Groundhog 's attempts to bend the rules to suit his purposes and be glad that despite the consequences of his actions, Groundhog 's spirit is never broken. Pull this out for Groundhog Day story hours. -- Booklist

A fun-loving groundhog avoids getting ready for winter. When Squirrel, Badger, and Bear urge him to hibernate so that he may awake February 2 and look at his shadow, Groundhog declares that he does not need to hibernate to do that. As his friends curl up in their winter homes, Groundhog plays until he gets lonely, hungry, and cold. When he cannot arouse his friends from their dens, he gets the idea to trick them out by announcing an early spring. The animals appear and begin to share a meal and celebrate until snow begins to fall and a check of the calendar reveals that it is only January 2. When Groundhog awakes February 2, the other animals have prepared a trick to play on him. The illustrations are appealing and are framed in blocks with simple borders. The blocks vary in size, shape, and number on the pages but are formatted in an appropriate way for the young reader. The illustrations support the text with brilliant clarity and quiet additions. The color tone changes from fall to early spring. A two-page horizontal block of only trees showing the changing season is included on select pages that enriches the eye appeal of the book. With its humorous story and natural illustrations, this is a good read-aloud book for young children. - Children's Literature

In a twist on the classic tale of the Grasshopper and the Ants, Groundhog must find a way to get his hibernating friends to share their food stores with him after he has played away the fall and early winter. On Jan. 2nd, he climbs to the top of the hill where the sun is shining and the snow is melting, and proclaims that spring has come early. His friends all emerge and feast-until snowflakes start to swirl around them and Squirrel realizes what Groundhog has done. In retaliation, his friends decide to trick him. When he emerges from hibernation on Feb. 2nd, he sees his "shadow" and goes back to sleep, not realizing that spring has already arrived. Cassels's gouache paintings are remarkably detailed and lifelike-blades of grass, tree bark and the hairs on each animal's coat of fur all stand out with amazing clarity. At the same time, she has given the characters the anthropomorphic qualities that will help them appeal to the youngest readers-a brilliant balance that make the illustrations truly memorable. Great for a read-aloud in classrooms.
- Kirkus Reviews

Who wants to spend all winter sleeping? Groundhog would rather spend his autumn days playing with the other woodland animals than preparing for winter. While his disapproving friends retreat to their warm and cozy burrows, he remains awake. Once the snow begins to fly, he plays in it alone, building snowmen and forts, but soon becomes hungry and cold. In early January during a brief thaw, the mischievous animal tricks the other forest inhabitants into believing that spring has arrived early and they celebrate with a wonderful feast. When his disgruntled companions discover the ruse, they resolve to get back at him, and, because of their trickery, he ends up sleeping through spring. The following winter, an unrepentant Groundhog stays up late once again. Crisp gouache paintings show the cuddly animals standing upright, and the energetic woodchuck proudly sports a red scarf and mittens. The colors and textures of the changing seasons are beautifully portrayed. - School Library Journal

The Bumpy Little Pumpkin
Ill. by Will Hillenbrand

"Reminiscent of Charlie Brown's devotion to his scraggly Christmas tree, Little Nell's story is just as satisfying, stressing the worth of a child's handiwork and the value of creating. The colorful cartoons provide the perfect complement. This is a holiday story that can be used year round; it's an excellent choice for reading aloud, both in a group setting or one-one-one." -- School Library Journal

Little Nell, who first appeared in The Biggest, Best Snowman (1998), is back in another story about an independent, young sibling. Nell is dwarfed by her sisters, BIG Lizzie and BIG Sarah, and by her mother, BIG Mama. At Halloween, Lizzie and Sarah choose huge, smooth pumpkins , while Nell selects the small, lumpy runt of the vine. Her sisters dismiss it as too " bumpy and little and ugly," and Nell withers under the criticism. Then her animal friends appear, and using antlers and beaks as tools, they help her carve a winning face on her pumpkin , earning Mama's praise and delight. Once again, Cuyler and Hillenbrand create a warm, empowering story about a youngest sister's struggles. Cuyler's infectious, repetitive text, with its recurrent use of BIG, is perfectly paced for participatory read-alouds, and Hillenbrand's cheery, whimsical mixed-media illustrations show Little Nell's perspective, moving from images of giant, looming figures to scenes with a more balanced scale at the story's triumphant end. A reassuring story about individuality, friendship, and finding beauty in the imperfect and unusual. -- Booklist

This companion to The Biggest, Best Snowman is about a little girl named Little Nell who lives in a Big house with her sisters, Big Lizzie and Big Sarah, and her mother Big Mama. When pumpkin harvest arrives, everyone goes to the pumpkin patch to find a pumpkin to carve for Halloween. Big Lizzie and Big Sarah find big pumpkins for themselves while Little Nell finds a little pumpkin . But her sisters refuse to help her carve her pumpkin because they think it is little and ugly. While Little Nell is crying in the garden, her friends arrive to help her. Reindeer, Bear Cub, and Hare, as well as Cardinal, Crow, and Sparrow do their part to turn this little pumpkin into a beautiful jack-o'-lantern. When Little Nell brings her creation home, her mother tells her how beautiful it is. The illustrations in this book are large and colorful and will delight any child who cannot read. For those ready to read, the words are simple and easy to understand. - Children's Literature

In this holiday-themed retread of The Biggest, Best Snowman (1998), Little Nell once again "proves" (with plenty of help) that she's more capable than her two big sisters suppose. Here, she rejects the condescending offers of BIG Sarah and BIG Lizzie, enlisting instead a coterie of forest animals to carve something into the small, lumpy pumpkin she's chosen. Hillenbrand sets the woodsy tale in a burgeoning pumpkin patch, surrounds tuft-haired, dot-eyed Nell with smiling fauna and closes with a full-page scene of her embracing her candle-lit, misshapen jack-o'-lantern in the wake of BIG Mama's fulsome praise. Though even younger children may be left wondering how a reindeer's antler or the beaks of birds could produce such straight, knifelike cuts in Nell's pumpkin , the empowerment theme easily leaps such logic gaps-as the likes of Ruth Krauss's Carrot Seed or Pat Hutchins' Titch have demonstrated for generations of post-toddlers. -- Kirkus Reviews

Little Nell, introduced in The Biggest, Best Snowman (Scholastic, 1998), returns with BIG Mama, BIG Sarah, and BIG Lizzie. It's Halloween, and the three siblings are looking for pumpkins to carve into jack-o'-lanterns. Little Nell's selection is deemed too small and ugly by her sisters. Not to be deterred, Little Nell enlists the help of Reindeer, Hare, and Bear Cub and creates a special jack-o'-lantern that can proudly take its place on the porch. As BIG Mama says, Jack-o'-lanterns come in all shapes and sizes!, a line that can be reassuringly applied to children as well. Reminiscent of Charlie Brown's devotion to his scraggly Christmas tree, Little Nell's story is just as satisfying, stressing the worth of a child's handiwork and the value of creating. The colorful cartoons provide the perfect complement. This is a holiday story that can be used year round; it's an excellent choice for reading aloud, both in a group setting or one-on-one. - School Library Journal

Please Say Please! Penguin’s Book of Manners
Ill. by Will Hillenbrand

“This jovial guide to manners may not tame wild young beasts, but it will have preschoolers giggling to see bears throwing spoons, chimps grabbing, and giraffes burping at Penguin’s house. Cuyler introduces basic party etiquette in a question-and-answer format. . . . By the conclusion, the newly enlightened menagerie is merrily on its way, with a thank-you and a come back soon. Hillenbrand’s simple, comical illustrations harness the messy chaos (and flying food) of childhood with bold black lines and plenty of good humor.” -- Booklist

"A must for every children's library -- and for the frustrated parents of
young ones." -- Kirkus Reviews

Big Friends
Ill. by Ezra Tucker

"This delightful, larger-than-life story will leave readers smiling big."
-- School Library Journal

"This is a predicatable tale with just enough (and brilliantly lush, acrylic-and-gouache illustrations) to keep readers reading and listening and
everyone smiling." -- Kirkus Reviews

Stop, Drop, and Roll
Ill. by Arthur Howard

Ever- and over-sensitive to the many perils that threaten a primary schooler, Jessica achieves a new level of panic when her teacher announces Fire Prevention Week and daily introduces a safety strategy that Jessica translates into imminent household doom. . . . A list of "Sparky's Top 10 fire Safety Tips for Kids" is included on the jacket back." -- Recommended, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Still, as they're falling down laughing, readers will pick up a few important safety tips, too. Stop, drop, and read." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Buy plenty of copies; this is sure to be in demand for fire-safety programs."
-- Booklist

"Best used in units on fire safety." -- School Library Journal

100th Day Worries
Ill. by Arthur Howard

"A little math and a lot of reassurance are tucked into a new idea for celebrating the hundredth day of school." -- Booklist

"Cuyler has an unflashily effective style and an ear for easy dialogue that keeps this story smoothly rolling. Howard's art evinces the energetically scrawled lines of Betsy Lewin, and the different perspectives and compositions ensure that the simple visuals remain interesting. Warm, uncomplicated, and believable, this is a happy school story for young audiences." Recommended, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Cuyler artfully ladles on the anxiety and suspense as a chronic worrier confronts a school tradition and succeeds with the support of her family." -- Kirkus Reviews

The Biggest, Best Snowman
Ill. by Will Hillenbrand

"As crisp and delicately patterned as a snowflake, Cuyler's tale brims with rhyming words and recurring phrases with which children will gleefully chime in." Starred review, Publishers Weekly

"This funny winter's tale from Cuyler features a girl who needs a boost of confidence to get past the teasing of her overwhelming, overbearing mother and sisters. . . . Hillenbrand's comic exaggerations put both the characters and the landscape powerfully in place." -- Kirkus Reviews

From Here to There
Ill. by Yu Cha Pak

"Cuyler's plain text is laden with meaning for new readers. She allows them to draw their own conclusions, which they will." -- Kirkus Reviews

"This enlightening journey is both a meditation on humanity's small place in the universe and a celebration of each person's immutable individuality." -- Publisher's Weekly

Selected for Texas Library Association's 2 X 2 Reading List

That's Good! That's Bad!
Ill. by David Catrow

IRA-CBC Choice

"Cuyler's fanciful tale is energized by exclamations that beg to be read aloud. Catrow's witty cartoons paint the jungle in a humorous light and hilariously depict the boy's alternating terror and relief. And that's good!" -- Publisher's Weekly

"This rollicking romp through the animal kingdom features vibrant, richly colored cartoon illustrations in a style that is reminiscent of Bill Peet's. It will keep children engaged from beginning to satisfying end. They'll beg for another reading."
-- School Library Journal

"A surefire hit, the book amuses, delights, and frightens, all within the safe confines of the pages." -- Booklist

Roadsigns: A Harey Race with a Tortoise
Ill. by Steve Haskamp

"This adaptation of Aesop's familiar fable has very little conventional text; instead, readers peruse dozens of signs along the route of Tortoise's race with Hare . . . . Readers will enjoy tracing the competitors' progress across the colorful pages."
-- The Horn Book

"The signs are fun to read, and the bright acrylic-on-canvas illustrations are playful and appealing. Children can follow the whole route of the race on the endpapers. . . . Roadsigns will provide reading practice, sign recognition, and good fun for both one-on-one sharing and individual reading." -- School Library Journal

"Younger readers will find both visual jokes and plenty of pictures . . . Open this engaging debut for the illustrator and there'll be "No Stopping." -- Kirkus Reviews

The Battlefield Ghost
Pictures by Arthur Howard

"This entertaining story may have readers seeking out their own local histories for possible ghost tales." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Interesting facts about the Revolutionary War are woven into the simple plot."
-- The Horn Book

Nominated for Young Hoosier Book Award (Indiana), Land of Enchantment Book Award (New Mexico), Nevada Award

Weird Wolf
Pictures by Dirk Zimmer

"A winner." -- Booklist

"Destined for greatness in the opinions of werewolf-crazy eight-year-olds."
-- Recommended, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Skeleton Hiccups
Pictures by S.D. Schindler

"Each phase of Cuyler's terse, rhythmic narrative is punctuated with a 'hic, hic, hic' that's sure to have kids giggling and joining in. Schindler augments the simple idea with funny expressions and details on each handsome, boldly designed page. . . . A Halloween pleaser." -- The Horn Book

"Cuyler cleverly brings readers through the ups and downs of Skeleton's day, from shower to ball-playing . . . the right audience will enjoy the fun." -- Kirkus Reviews

"In her bare bones text, Cuyler establishes a strong, infectious rhythm by sandwiching a 'hic hic hic' between each three-or four-word line. Schindler's art is reduced to bare essentials, too: Simply drawn figures, minimal detailing, monochromatic backgrounds. At last, a look in a mirror draws a scream from Skeleton that frightens the hiccups away -- but not before they have given readers' funny bones a real workout." -- Booklist

"This is a peppy change of pace from the usual Halloween fare that could make for a bone-rattlingly good storytime." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, recommended

Winner of the Wisconsin Golden Archer Award, primary category.
Nominated for Colorado Children’s Book Award.

That's Good! That's Bad! in the Grand Canyon
Pictures by David Catrow

"The second offering from the team that pairs terror and relief in its wacky text and even wackier illustrations . . . . Particularly fine for reading aloud. Fun!" -- Booklist

"The story begs to be read aloud . . . . A natural for storytime." -- School Library Journal