Keith DuQuette was an impressionable child who at various times wanted to be a pet-shop owner, an architect, a painter, an anthropologist, a cartoonist, a naturalist and a center fielder for the New York Yankees. He is now none of those things. But he draws on all these early influences in creating picture books for young readers. Keith and his wife, Virginia, live in Brooklyn.
Keith DuQuette was an impressionable child who at various times wanted to be a pet-shop owner, an architect, a painter, an anthropologist, a cartoonist, a naturalist and a center fielder for the New York Yankees. He is now none of those things. But he draws on all these early influences in creating picture books for young readers. Keith and his wife, Virginia, live in Brooklyn.
PreSchool-Grade 2-Camille and Leon (two green lizards) decide to close their insect market for a much-needed vacation. They drive to the Hotel Animal, "the favorite vacation spot for animals from around the world." Although they feel small and out of place among the baboons and pandas, they are warmly welcomed. Readers see the resort from the lizards' point of view as the pair struggles with a shag rug, a hippo in the pool, and the restaurant menu. During a party in the ballroom, Camille becomes entangled in a balloon string and is lifted to a crystal chandelier. She climbs through a tiny hole in the ceiling into the dark attic and spends the night in a small doll house. The next morning, the owner (a bear) moves it to the first floor where it becomes Hotel Animal Too, the perfect place for small creatures to stay. The well-paced text is humorous and suspenseful enough for young readers. The witty, full-color, jewel-toned illustrations perfectly depict and augment events related in the text. Expressive, anthropomorphic animals in fabulous costumes cavort across the pages. This book is suitable for reading one-on-one or with a few children; however, many details are too small for large group sharing.
Cynthia K. Richey, Mt. Lebanon Public Library, Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.