How to Be Famous

February 15, 2016
An egocentric pigeon regales readers with stories about how famous and beloved it is, though newcomer Shalev's pictures suggest otherwise. "I am a famous model," the pigeon declares, perched on the entrance to a zoo. "People come from all over the world to take pictures of me," it continues, striking a pose on the trunk of an irate-looking elephant that is the actual object of visitors' attention. Shalev's illustrations mark her as a talent to watch. Vigorous crimson lines help delineate her characters and settings, and while the text is limited to the pigeon's megalomaniacal monologue, the irritation the bird leaves in its wake is abundantly evident in the images, whether it's an adult male looking up in dismay as the bird leaves its "autograph" on his shirtsleeve or the barely constrained hatred three flamingos direct at the pigeon as it reclines languidly on one of their backs. Personality-wise, Shalev's pigeon could give Mo Willems's renowned bird a run for his moneyâwere it not for an ending that sees this bird confidently striding into the mouth of a lion, suggesting that a sequel is unlikely. Ages 3â6.

January 15, 2016
In the annals of nearsighted narcissism, this pigeon reigns supreme. Scion of a famous family--"My brother is famous for sleeping....My uncle is famous for having millions of girlfriends," and Noah's dove and a military messenger pigeon are among its forebears--this feathered legend in its own mind claims to be a "famous model." It's certain it's the object of all zoo visitors' eyes (not really, as audience cries of "elephant" in several languages and scripts indicate). To accommodate the imagined horde of fans, the bird poses on an elephant's trunk and a crocodile's jaw and then goes on to criticize a mandrill's makeup, join diners at a picnic table, and spatter a passer-by with a generous "autograph." "Luckily I am perfect just the way I am," it coos in the block-lettered text accompanying Shaley's muted, scribbly crayon-and-colored-pencil scenes. At last, taking the warnings of the other pigeons as jealous flapping, it marches heedlessly as ever into a lion's open mouth. Just deserts? Not exactly, it turns out, as a final chalk-on-black spread depicts the pigeon rattling around inside the lion calling for "Lights!" and collapsing in boredom. Readers expecting a more naturalistic fate may be disappointed...or perhaps relieved. Shaley does not specifically gender her protagonist, but its neck's white rings look an awful lot like draped pearls, implying via stereotype a female. At least Maurice Sendak's Pierre drew a lesson from his ingestion. (Picture book. 6-8)

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March 1, 2016

K-Gr 2-Readers are introduced to a pigeon and her "famous" family. Her uncle pigeon is "famous for his bravery in the third cat war, where he lost his foot." A cousin pigeon is "famous for helping old people finish their bread." The narrator herself is a famous model. Readers realize that the narrator's "modeling" career involves posing atop animals at the zoo while visitors take photographs. Based on the zoo animals' facial expressions, none of them seem to appreciate the entirely oblivious pigeon. She also "eats at the table" (helps herself to human food at the picnic tables) and "gives her autograph" (poops on the human visitors). Every page of this book is hilarious. The juxtaposition between the pigeon's beliefs about her situation and the illustrated reality is brilliant. Children will giggle and point out all of the carefully planted details in the earth-tone illustrations. At the very end of the book, however, the narrator distractedly walks into a lion's mouth. It is entirely dark inside, nothing happens when the pigeon shouts, "Lights!" and she is quite bored. The book ends there. VERDICT Despite the unfortunate and abrupt ending, this "pride goeth before a fall" story will provide many laughs and plenty to talk about. Recommended for purchase.-Sara White, Seminole County Public Library, Casselberry, FL

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2016
Grades K-3 This pigeon is famous. Her whole family is famous. Their achievements range from bravery in the third cat war to having millions of girlfriends to . . . sleeping. Our narrator, however, is famous for her beauty. People are always taking pictures of her, whether she is posing atop the elephant at the zoo or strolling between a crocodile's teeth. When she flies near them, they wave or bow. Savvy young readers will notice, however, that Pigeon's interpretation of all that attention misses the mark . . . a lot. And, of course, all this self-delusion leads to a bad end. This comical tale will be great to read aloud, as kids will quickly decipher what's really going on behind the pigeon's narcissistic narrative. Shalev's kicky, scrawled crayon and cut-paper art is sophisticated and energetic. With similar delusions of grandeur, and a great example of a book in which the art and text tell opposing stories at the same time, this would be a natural pick for fans of Mo Willems' own famous pigeon.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)