On the shores of Bitty Bayou, along a bitsy bog, a lonely little lizard, lived in a lumpy log. So begins the delightful tale of Izzy the Lizzy.

I really enjoyed this book. I like Lizzy, for one thing. She is smart, but mostly I like her clothes.

The joyful illustrations with the funny, expressive faces fit well with the rolling rhythm and the delicious word choices the author used when writing the book.

One problem with having finely flowing language, though, is that awkward phrasing stands out all the more. I knocked this book down a notch because there were two clunky stanzas and in a picture book that's two too many.

The lesson comes through clearly, but it's not obnoxious. Picture books are supposed to teach lessons, after all. This one on mercy is an especially good one. But the best thing about it is the way it is presented. Children love to feel smarter than the characters they read about and in this book I think they will be a step ahead of the spider at grasping the bee's point. And the whole bug eating bug deal is sure to be attractive to young audiences.

I think Izzy the Lizzy is an altogether adorable book.

---back to reviews Home Copyright © 2005 Sally Apokedak