  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 07/01/2015 The cover of Harrison’s second picture book features a true sourpuss, a cat named Bernice who has apparently thrown her party hat to the ground. Who could resist the urge to discover what has so displeased Bernice? And can she get out of this terrible mood? It’s a cloudy day in the woods as the book opens with a party scene. Each page turn delivers Bernice a new disappointment—prune-grapefruit soda, for instance, when everyone else gets ice-cold strawberry-melon flavor. Harrison’s concise text and lively illustrations soon head to higher altitudes as Bernice grabs all of the buoyant balloons for herself. Pulled up in the air, she meets an unhappy squirrel and bird before getting stuck to “a brooding black rain cloud” that itself has a very sad expression. The grays of the sky contrast nicely with the brightly colored balloons, but—in a move reminiscent of Marcus Pfister’s The Rainbow Fish (1992)—once Bernice starts giving out her balloons, blue skies and better moods break out all over the place. - Copyright 2015 Booklist. School Library Journal - 06/01/2015 PreS-Gr 1—The story line of Harrison's latest picture book doesn't break any new ground—a group of cute anthropomorphized animals attend a birthday party, one of whom feels like the odd cat out—but it's her skillful illustrations, candy-colored palette, and understated humor that elevate this tale of a bad mood turned around. The scene opens on an overcast day in the park as a group of furry partygoers gathers. In the foreground is Bernice, an unhappy tabby whose darling pink romper and Peter Pan-collared shirt belie her defiantly crossed arms and angry scowl. The other guests each receive a frosting rose on their piece of cake—poor Bernice only gets a plain white square. Everyone else gets ice-cold strawberry-melon soda—Bernice gets warm prune-grapefruit. Harrison depicts the happy-go-lucky guests enjoying the festivities on the verso, while sourpuss Bernice is juxtaposed on the recto, isolated on an all-white background, her feelings clearly evident in her petulant expression. The frustrated feline finally decides she's had enough and absconds with a bunch of balloons, unintentionally floating up, up, and away. It's when she encounters a brooding black rain cloud—having a bad day himself—that she discovers a bit of empathy within and is able to put her own problems in perspective, cheering up a "very blue bluebird" and a "surly gray squirrel" as her own mood reverses. The text is kept to a minimum, with carefully chosen words that lend the narrative a dry humor. Young readers who've experienced moments of jealousy and frustration can't help but feel a bit of kinship with Bernice. Harrison includes clever details, like the "Do Not Perturb" and "Home is Where the Nuts Are" signs that adorn the entrance to the squirrel's home. Her acrylic on Bristol board illustrations artfully play with perspective, light, and texture, making Harrison an illustrator to watch. VERDICT Though the rainbow-hued ending comes a bit too easily, young listeners will be satisfied when all the animal friends rejoice at Bernice's change of heart.—Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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