Tag Archives: LEigh Hodgkinson

Boris and the Wrong Shadow by Leigh Hodgkinson

Boris the cat has a little problem. He woke up from a nap and he has the wrong shadow. Someone switch-swapped it and left him with a tiny mouse shadow. Off he goes to investigate, hoping he can get his shadow back.

Boris and the Wrong Shadow by author/illustrator Leigh Hodgkinson is a hoot. Poor Boris gets made fun of because of his puny shadow. Even the birds aren’t scared of him. He soon finds out that someone feels that way about his shadow all the time, but having Boris’s larger shadow made him feel big and important. With quick thinking, Boris is able to keep his shadow and help a friend.

This is a great book that is funny while it teaches kids about problem solving. The delightful story is complemented by Hodgkinson’s zany and adorable artwork. The overall book design with bolded words, words in bubbles, and curvy word art works so well for this book, giving Boris and the Wrong Shadow a light, whimsical feel despite its important lesson. The book’s large size (11″ x 9 3/4″) will make it easy to find on the shelf, but it will never be there long because the kids will be reading this one all the time. And with a paperback priced at only $7.95, it’s really a steal.

Highly recommended!

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Paperback:32 pages
  • Publisher:Tiger Tales; Reprint edition (March 1, 2012)
  • ISBN-10:1589254341
  • ISBN-13: 978-1589254343
  • SRP: $7.95

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation of any kind for this review.

Top 10 Picture Books of 2011

This took longer than expected. As I mentioned in my last post, selections this year were hard. In addition, I discovered I needed to segregate picture books for little kids (babies, toddlers, preschoolers) from those for school-age children. While some books could overlap between the two age groups, there was no way for me to compile a fair list if I lumped them all into one group. For books where I couldn’t find an age listing, I put them where I felt they fit best. I’ll start off with my Top 10 for the youngest category and then list the Top 10 in the older category.

Top 10 Picture Books for Preschoolers and under

  • Ricky’s Christmas Tree by Guido van Genechten
  • A Cat’s Alphabet Book by Sally O. Lee
  • My Daddy by Guido van Genechten
  • Going to the Beach with Lily and Milo and Going to the Zoo with Lily and Milo by Pauline Oud (I reviewed these together, so I am counting them as one.)
  • One Little Blueberry by Tammi Salzano
  • Oops! by Leo Timmers
  • 1-2-3- Count with Me and A is for Apple by Georgie Burkett (Again, I reviewed these together and count them as one.)
  • Ricky is Brave by Guido van Genechten
  • Thankyouplease by Pierre Winters and Barbara Ortelli
  • Ian’s New Potty by Pauline Oud

There are repeat names on this list, but I felt these authors and publishers truly knew how to create books attractive to this market.

Top 10 Books of 2011 for Ages 3 and up

  • A Dog is A Dog by Stephen Shaskan
  • My Mom Has X-Ray Vision by Angela McAllister
  • Will & Kate: A Love Story by Ink Robin
  • Sea Monster’s First Day by Kate Messner
  • The Butt Book by Artie Bennett
  • Not Fat Because I Wanna Be by LaNiyah Bailey
  • The Dancing Clock by Steve Metzger
  • Humbug, A Christmas Carol by Lee Baker
  • My Name is Not Alexander by Jennifer Fosberry
  • Fifo “50 States” by Hayley Rose

Honorable Mentions

  • A Christmas Secret by Candace Hall
  • Frederico, The Mouse Violinist by Mayra Calvani
  • The Ice Cream King by Steve Metzger
  • Marta’s Gargantuan Wings by J. Aday Kennedy
  • Every-Day Dress-Up by Selina Alko
  • Freckleface Strawberry Best Friends Forever by Julianne Moore
  • Limelight Larry by Leigh Hodgkinson
  • Don’t Worry Douglas! by David Melling
  • Cinderfella and the Furry Godmother by Dixie Phillips
  • Tumbleweed Christmas by Beverly Stowe McClure
  • Secret Service Saint by Janet Ann Collins
  • Seven Miles to Freedom by Janet Halfmann 

Limelight Larry by Leigh Hodgkinson

“Proud as a peacock” comes to mind when considering this charming and funny story of Limelight Larry.

This book is going to be amazing. You know why? Because it’s about Limelight Larry. He thinks he should be famous and there should be more books about him. But then a mouse shows up and there’s definitely no room for a mouse in a book all about Limelight Larry. Then there’s a bird, and he’s not too keen on the bird trying to steal his spotlight. Or the numerous other animals who show up trying to draw the attention away from him. But is showing off all by yourself really any fun?

Limelight Larry by Leigh Hodgkinson is a fabulous, silly book filled with tons of equally zany illustrations that shine the light on attention getting. Through this story, kids learn in an easy way how much better it is to share the limelight with others. Its unusual and varied text captures the attention of young readers, while the numerous creatures filling its pages will delight them.

This is definitely a book we’ll want to read together again!

Rating:  🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Publisher:Tiger Tales
  • ISBN-10:1589251024
  • ISBN-13: 978-1589251021
  • SRP:  $15.95 (hardcover)

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation of any kind for this review.