Red Knit Cap Girl and the Reading Tree

Starred review from April 16, 2012
Red Knit Cap Girl’s eponymous headwear makes her look like an acorn or a mushroom—right at home in her forest surroundings. She longs to talk to the Moon, and Mr. Owl (whose golden, glowing eyes burning in his dark lair give the story its only tense moment) offers sage advice: “The Moon is too far to reach, but if you want, she will bend down to listen to you.” Red Knit Cap Girl enlists the help of a bear, a squirrel, and a hedgehog to carry out her plan to draw the Moon close. In Stoop’s first picture book, she paints on plywood, and the wood grain background gives each spread a gentle, wavelike feel and a luxurious sense of texture; subtly graduated hues provide quiet drama. Stoop delivers the message about ingenuity and cooperation in human, not abstract, terms: “You have made it dark enough to see me and quiet enough to hear me,” says the Moon when she appears. It’s a successful ensemble piece, gorgeously illustrated, in which each character has a part to play. Ages 3–6. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

October 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 1-Red Knit Cap Girl and her woodland friends return in an adventure focused on about books. When Squirrel shows Red Knit Cap Girl a tree with a huge nook, she has an idea. "I will keep my book in this nook so everyone can read it.'" Squirrel, White Bunny, Bear, and Hedgehog love the idea so much that they soon add their own books, too. As the idea spreads, more and more animals add to the nook. Beaver wants to participate, but he doesn't have any books, so he gnaws a bookshelf for the contributions. When autumn arrives, so do the sheep with warm wool blankets for the readers. The final touch is when Moon and Owl work through the night to make the perfect sign: "Library." "'A library is a place where anyone can borrow a book, '" the child explains. This last bit is aimed at Sly Fox, who thought he was stealing books. Stoop's straightforward text is a good match for her illustrations. Soft, sweet, and a bit retro, they are done on plywood whose grain shows subtly under the art. Beautiful background washes set the scene for the main characters, who are expressive despite having no mouths and dots for eyes. The pictures, on single page and full spreads, clearly support the text. A story about reading, friendship and working together-what's not to love?-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 15, 2014
A little girl and her forest friends build the perfect, albeit old-fashioned, library. In two previous titles, Red Knit Cap Girl talked to the moon and rescued a lost animal. Here, readers see her as a book lover who establishes a library in a "nook," a hollow in a great tree. With contributions from White Bunny, Squirrel, Hedgehog, Bear and the Birds, its collection of books grows. Beaver has no books, but he builds a shelf. Only Sly Fox lacks the requisite community spirit (he steals a book). The Sheep bring blankets for winter snuggling, while Moon and Owl provide a finishing touch by creating a sign that says "Library." Once again, Stoop's acrylic, pencil and ink artwork on plywood provides appealing textures and delicately nuanced colors for daytime, nighttime and the passing seasons. Children will delight in pointing out the many little humorous touches, while parents and librarians will take a quiet and glorious pleasure in sharing a story about books and reading. There is nary a beep to be heard or a flashing light to be seen in this loving ode to the printed page, reading and sharing stories. All will agree with Red Knit Cap Girl: "It is good to share books." (Picture book. 3-6)

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