Available:*
Library | Material Type | Item Barcode | Shelf Number | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... Avon-Washington Township Public Library | Juvenile Picture Book Hardback | 120791002298756 | J P KON | Searching... Unknown |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Summary
Summary
This is Caterina.
She and her brother, Leo, are throwing a party. And, of course, you're invited.
Caterina wants this to be a perfect party down to the tiniest detail.
But what is something goes wrong?
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Caterina, a small, brown, bright-eyed bird, is very organized and proud of it. She loves making lists to ensure everything turns out exactly the way she intends, because the one thing she cannot abide is a surprise. Though she meticulously plans and makes preparations, with assistance from her little brother, for a party in the park, with thoughtful invitations, decorations, and food, the festivities do not turn out as she imagines. How friends help her deal with disappointment shows that surprises can be pleasant and spontaneity may lead to unforgettable experiences. Charming mixed-media illustrations are the highlight of the simple story, which doesn't break new ground, but imparts lessons gently. Readers will want to spend time perusing the intricate details in the pictures, which include postage stamps, floss, fabric, textures, and photographs.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Caterina is "a little brown bird with great big colorful thoughts." An inveterate list-maker who hates surprises, the bespectacled bird carefully plans every detail of the first party she's ever thrown. Though the minimal text edges on precious ("The invitations will be... inviting. The decorations will be... decorative. The appetizers will be... appetizing"), Kono's mixed-media illustrations provide cheerful zip, spotlighting the hostess's high spirits and energy as she and her younger brother break out craft supplies and cookbooks to prepare. On the day of the party, Caterina gets both an unwelcome surprise-rain washes out the decorations and food she's carefully assembled outdoors-and a happy one: her friends arrive bearing a replacement feast, and they have a grand time cavorting in the mud. Kono (Grand-mother, Have the Angels Come?) incorporates bits of fabric, images of stamps and coins, paper pinwheels, and more into her collaged drawings, all in keeping with Caterina's DIY ethos. Caterina sets a good example for kids who have trouble rolling with the punches when best-laid plans go awry. Ages 3-5. Agent: Elizabeth Harding, Curtis Brown. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
High-strung bird Caterina goes all out planning the perfect outdoor party; too bad she can't plan the weather: it rains, and her food and dicor are ruined. Once the rain stops, her animal friends surprise her by showing up with party cheer and gear--an affecting if predictable turn. The mixed-media art employs paper vignettes and fabric swatches. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
The best-laid plans of mice and OCD birds. Caterina is a small brown bird with a penchant for crafting and an obsession with lists: "Lists of things to do / Lists of things not to do / Lists of things to love / Lists of things not to love" (the only item on this list, iterated three times, is "surprises"). Her most important list is that of her friends, because she is preparing to throw her first party. She has planned everything down to the last detail. She has creatively crafted invitations and decorations, and she has prepared sumptuous appetizers. Caterina schleps all the party goods to the picnic site and readies the elegant feast. However, she has reckoned without the unpredictability of the weather. It rains on her parade and drenches all her creations. She is devastated and does not know what to do, until her friends come to the rescue, bringing wonderful potluck food, music and good cheer. The impromptu party and slap-up feed is better than anything Caterina could have planned. The well-worn message that having good friends trumps adversity is given a fresh interpretation in these charming, collage-filled pages. Any child who enjoys scrapbooking or crafts will be inspired to get busy with crayons, glue and scissors by the crafty images on every page. In spite of a somewhat lackluster text, this is a refreshingly traditional antidote to electronic amusements. (Picture book. 3-5)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
The star of Kono's latest is a little brown bird who behaves like a creative little girl, making crafts and lists out of her great big colorful thoughts. With huge blue glasses and a pink flower in her hair, Caterina takes center stage as she plans her first party. Kono fills the jubilant pages with diverting multimedia scenes: Caterina's many lists and pieces of memorabilia, the elaborate decorations and invitations she makes for the party, and the food she prepares. Her lists are fun to read, especially her annotated guide to her friends and the things not to love list: surprises, surprises, surprises. Unfortunately, Caterina plans the entire outdoor bash without thinking about the weather, so all seems ruined when the huge (but prettily patterned) rain cloud moves in. Thankfully, Caterina's friends come to the rescue, with each bringing something for a new party, giving Caterina the opportunity to learn the pleasure of a good surprise. A nice message with a buoyant delivery.--Nolan, Abby Copyright 2010 Booklist