Bound To Stay Bound

Bulletin for the Center... - 10/01/2006 Poor Edwina. Not knowing that she is extinct, the dinosaur happily blends in with her town, performing chores that tax those of less-than-dinosaur height and spreading carbohydrate cheer with her famous chocolate-chip cookies. Noxious know-it-all Reginald Von Hoobie Doobie seeks to put an end to all this foolishness. He knows that Edwina by right should not exist, no matter how tempting her chocolate-chip cookies are, and he sets out to prove it. Alas, the only one who will listen to his proofs is Edwina herself. One might expect that Edwina would be reasoned out of existence, but c’mon, this is Mo Willems—trust humor, charm, and a nature inclined toward benevolence to win out over something as fragile as reason. One can also trust clean, friendly, energetic art with pure, quiet swaths of color; more than any other of his offerings so far, this one is haunted by the ghost of Charles Schultz in the facial expressions of the children and the Peanuts pathos of the plot. A dependence on pale blues and grays with minimal contrast in hue mutes background noise throughout, but especially on pages where the figures are black and white and the only color is the blue background. These documentary-style pages allow Reginald’s frenetic, moody expressivism to take center stage even while they emphasize the pale futility of his endeavors. Both the pigeon and Knuffle Bunny make cameo appearances for the observant fan, and let’s face it—Willems is making fans of us all. KC - Copyright 2006 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

School Library Journal - 09/01/2006 K-Gr 2-Edwina the dinosaur is known and loved throughout the town for her many acts of kindness and her excellent chocolate-chip cookies. The literal-minded class know-it-all, Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie, sets out to prove to everyone that dinosaurs are extinct. No one pays the slightest attention to him; ironically, only Edwina is convinced (not that she cares). In the end, as Reginald sits enjoying her cookies, he finds that he doesn't care either. Willems's expressive cartoon style makes the most of his fabled ability with line. Readers will enjoy Edwina in her straw hat, handbag, delicately painted claws, beribboned hat and simple strand of pearls, and especially her expression of utter shock when she realizes she is extinct. Aesthetically, this is neither as elegantly designed as Willems's "Pigeon" books (Hyperion) nor as bold a departure as his Knuffle Bunny (Hyperion, 2004), but it will nonetheless please the author's many fans. The added pleasure of finding Knuffle Bunny and Pigeon in the illustrations is an unexpected bonus.-Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Old Greenwich, CT Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. - Copyright 2006 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 09/01/2006 Willems takes a break from his Pigeon chronicles to write about a dinosaur named Edwina. Everyone loves Edwina, except class know-it-all Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie, who tries to convince everyone that dinosaurs are extinct. No one listens, except Edwina, who is shocked. Eventually Edwina decides that she doesn’t care, and by then . . . neither does Reginald. In true if-you-can’t-beat-’em, join-’em fashion, the final scene shows Edwina baking cookies for a much happier Reginald. Pacing is varied to highlight the more dramatic scenes, with much of the drama provided by Reginald in a way resembling Pigeon trying to get his way. Set against plain, light-blue backdrops, the pictures, in Willem’s familiar cartoon style, show Reginald up to his dastardly deeds as well as characters in the classroom, on the playground, and in the park. Children will have fun searching the art for hidden pictures of Pigeon and Knuffle Bunny. Consider this an enjoyable visit to a happy community that has no room for curmudgeons. - Copyright 2006 Booklist.