Rusty's Red Vacation

Bold illustrations teach small children about the color red in this easy-to-read picture book that follows as Rusty and his family set off on a fun-filled camping vacation.

PreS-Gr 1--These three books, illustrated in black and the color in the title, are stylistically reminiscent of the books published by William R. Scott in the late 1930s. The color lies flat and shadowless on the page. The look is old-fashioned and solid, and yet it is not staid. Rather, the bold cartoon drawings pop off the page and may strike readers as retro rather than boring with their yellow milk cartons, red trees, and blue bushes. A single line of text supports each illustration. Routines surrounding three aspects of life--summer at home, a camping vacation, and a day at school--are presented. These are simple, rudimentary tales told with an occasional nod to the spirit of the 90s--Bonnie reads her bedtime book to Dad and in school the kids watch an afternoon video. These titles could be used to open young children's eyes to color and design. As easily, they could serve as beginning readers. They are fresh, enjoyable, and childlike.

Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Working with only white space, black line and one primary color per book, film animator and first-time author Asbury creates a unified reading series. Each book features a child narrator and sly references to color. Redhead Rusty describes a camping trip with his family and his hound, Ruby (who begs comparison to another big red dog, Clifford); in the forest, cardinals play among redwood trees. Blonde Yolanda rides the bus to the Sunshine School, snacks on a banana and paints a sunflower. Brunette Bonnie and her cat, Bluebonnet, spend a typical day at home; Bonnie plays in the swimming pool and eats blueberry pie. Asbury's medium (a black crayon matched with either a red, yellow or blue one) couldn't be simpler, and his woodblock-print-like compositions are technically solid. He makes strategic use of color concepts, like the red gingham tablecloth at Rusty's picnic, the canary in Yolanda's classroom and the blue water in Bonnie's backyard pool. After picking out all the red, yellow and blue objects here, readers may want to name other everyday sights that come in primary colors. Asbury makes the most of his three-tone concept; this trio is impressively focused and well executed. Ages 2-6.

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.