Ginger Jumps - Hardcover

Ernst

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0027335658 ISBN 13: 9780027335651

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 1990

Synopsis

Ginger the circus dog yearns to have her own little girl to love, but her hopes are threatened by the arrival of Prunella, an obnoxious prima donna poodle, until her dreams come true in a most unlikely way

About this title

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2 --This refreshing story successfully combines an endearing main character with a suspenseful plot and suitably happy ending. Ginger is a small brown puppy who has always lived with the circus. During the show, she loves to watch the children in the audience; at night she dreams of having her own human family and a little girl to love. When Sir Deedrick tells Ginger about three new clowns needing a hardworking dog for their act, she is convinced that she can handle the difficult jump it entails, but she loses her confidence and her rival, Prunella, gets the job. All works out in Ginger's favor, however, and she lands in the arms of the little girl of her dreams. Ernst's captivating pen and ink with ink-wash illustrations harmonize perfectly with the text. Using subtle tones of blue, pink, and brown, the animal and human characters are depicted in a stylized manner that goes beyond simple cartooning. The comforting roundness of the characters is realized through gentle shadings, careful crosshatching, and diffused highlights. Ernst's attention to detail pays off in every aspect of this book: the page design is top-notch, each character possesses a distinct personality, and the endpapers actually help advance the story. The large format, eye-catching pages, delightful collection of dogs, and circus setting make the book a welcome addition to picture-book collections and a natural choice for sharing aloud. --Denise Anton Wright, Library Book Selection Service, Inc., Bloomington, IL
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly

"For as long as Ginger could remember, the circus had been her home." But it isn't enough for this pooch, who craves love--not the limelight--and longs for what she has only heard about: "dogs that lived with children and their families." Thus begins Ginger's dream: she knows that somewhere there is a little girl on whom she can lavish her boundless puppy affection. (Ginger's quest may remind readers of Charlie Brown's inamorata, the Little Red-Haired Girl.) Ginger learns basic performing tricks, but is constantly snubbed by poodle star Prunella, a doggie diva of the first water. Reminiscent of circus posters, Ernst's jumbo, effervescent paintings occupy the majority of each page. Her text is equally captivating; there has seldom been a more personable canine in or out of a circus tent. In a heartwarming ending, Ginger gets it all: a spectacular new career, a family and--from an unexpected source--a new friend. Reflecting the happiness of readers everywhere, Ginger "laughed a dog laugh that only the little girl could hear." Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0027335658
• ISBN 13: 9780027335651
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 33