It's April Fool's Day!

Steven Kroll is the author of more than fifty picture books, including The Biggest Pumpkin Ever. His work has been translated into French, Spanish, and Japanese. He lives with his wife in New York City and Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania.

PreSchool-Grade 2 --This modest little story about two kittens is not particularly original, but it makes its point appealingly. Alice is frightened when she goes out on April Fools' Day, for she knows that Horace, who teases her unmercifully, will play mean tricks on her. Of course, he does--drenching her with water, pulling her tail, and chasing her under a bush. Fed up with his bullying, Alice prepares her own April Fools' retribution. Although surprised and dazed by the severity of her tricks, Horace is admiring instead of angry. They declare a truce and enjoy an afternoon of happy play together. The lessons that bullies are often lonely and seek attention by plaguing those they like and that standing up to a teaser often stops the harassment are presented gently and clearly. Very simple, expressive ink and watercolor illustrations of various sizes in various positions on the pages complement both the visual appearance and meaning of the text. Warm, bright tones, crisply outlined figures, and ample white space emphasize the lively action of the pictures. --Patricia Pearl, First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA
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