![]() ![]() It takes five houses’ worth of door-knocks for this skeleton crew of seven to perfect the protocol, with enough outlandish flubs to generate giggles in Halloween-savvy preschoolers. The Crayons return in time for Halloween as vampire-costumed Purple coaches the dressed-up wax pack through its first trick-or-treating venture. Roller-coaster enthusiasts or not, children will eagerly join our intrepid hero on this entertaining ride. The roller-coaster attendant is light-skinned. Willems’ trademark droll illustrations will have readers giggling. The ending falls somewhat flat, but the whole humorous point is that an underwhelming adventure can still be thrilling enough to warrant repeating. No sentiment is misplaced kids will relate to Pigeon’s eagerness and apprehension. Wearing his feelings on his wing and speaking directly to the audience in first person, the Pigeon describes realistic thoughts and emotions about waiting and guessing about the unknown-common childhood experiences. So…will he really try it? Are roller coasters fun? When the moment comes, everything seems to go according to plan: waiting in line, settling into the little car, THEN-off he goes! Though the ride itself isn’t quite what the Pigeon expected, it will delight readers. (He’ll also feel dizzy and nauseous.) All this before the Pigeon ever sets claw on an actual coaster. Then, he imagines his emotions afterward: exhilaration, post-ride blues, pride at having accomplished such a feat, and enthusiasm at the prospect of riding again. He envisions zooming up and down and careening through dizzying turns and loops. The Pigeon prepares mentally: He’ll need a ticket and “exemplary patience” to wait in line. Since learning about the existence of roller coasters, he’s become giddy with excitement. The Pigeon is on an emotional-and physical-roller coaster. Completing the educational effort are two succinct informational sheets on both Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan along with two recipes for each tradition. Amini’s vibrant collages capture both the busyness of the neighborhood and the growing friendship between the families. Author Zalben and illustrator Amini are immensely successful in creating parallels between the two boys’ lives, with each aspect mirrored both in the narrative and graphically. ![]() The kids’ mothers are not indifferent to the developing camaraderie and agree to a picnic bringing the two families together to enjoy rugelach and date cookies. Hassan for Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Feldman for Rosh Hashanah, the holiday celebrating the Jewish New Year, and Mrs. Weeks pass, and they return to the store, Mrs. They are also quick to realize that they share more than just a similar look and have the same-at times reckless-passion for sweets and bouncing balls. ![]() Because of their similar curly dark hair, brown eyes, and olive-toned skin, Moe and Mo are mistaken for twins by the store owner, who gives them each a falafel. Moe and Mo meet by chance at the grocery store where their moms happen to be shopping. ![]() The tale of a nascent friendship between Moses Feldman and Mohammed Hassan, two kids from Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, New York they have different backgrounds…yet so many things in common. ![]()
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