That Pesky Toaster

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant pictures, tepid story
Review: Ben Hillman, the author and illustrator of That Pesky Toaster, worked on MTV's Liquid Television and it seems to have had a good and a bad effect on his work; like a music video, it's full of arresting images without much to tie them together. Even the pesky toaster of the title pops up (so to speak) for a few pages and disappears for most of the book. Small children will enjoy pointing out the geese wandering through the background, or Goldie's multi-bladed bread-cutting axe (does the entire loaf in one stroke!), but be prepared for a "What happened then?" at the end - not because they love the characters, but because the book ends with no resolution.

Rating:
Summary: I LIKED IT!
Review: I think that the illustrations are beautiful, the writing is humorous, the plot clever, and the ending is appropriate. I give it 10 out of 10.

Get it!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Not all picture books are for small children only. I would especially recommend this book for people ages 8 and up, particularly those interested in drawing, space or engineering. A great choice for ESL or adult literacy students, the pictures and story will be sure to spark discussions on astrophysics, gadgetry and the power of imagination.

Rating:
Summary: What a fantastic book!
Review: Pictures don't always determine who should read a book. Like Jon Sceizka, Hillman uses ludicrous humor to create a wonderful read. Not every child will "get it," but those that do will laugh for weeks. I am a teacher and will definitely use this book with 8-12 year olds to start a fascinating discussion about space and its wonders.

Rating:
Summary: What a fantastic book!
Review: Pictures don't always determine who should read a book. Like Jon Sceizka, Hillman uses ludicrous humor to create a wonderful read. Not every child will "get it," but those that do will laugh for weeks. I am a teacher and will definitely use this book with 8-12 year olds to start a fascinating discussion about space and its wonders.