Cyclops of Central Park

November 15, 2019
Cyclops always opts for the safety of his cave in Central Park, but Eugene has other ideas. Cyclops lovingly cares for his sheep, always warning them of the dangers all around, such as the "twirly" carousel and the "sharp" grass right there in their own park. When Cyclops counts his sheep one morning, Eugene is missing. He is not in the park, and that means Cyclops must venture into the even scarier city. He searches all over New York to no avail, then brings in his flock of sheep to help. They head for the subway and Coney Island, where they find their elusive friend riding the Cyclone roller coaster and having a wonderful time. He convinces Cyclops and the sheep to try it, and after a shaky start, Cyclops is ready for more adventures. In both premise and detail, Rosenberg employs a sly sense of the absurd. Cyclops strikes out in the Yankee dugout and mistakes a de Kooning for a sighting of Eugene at the Guggenheim. Tentler-Krylov's wildly creative illustrations are fantastical renderings of New York City as it exists in a kind of alternate reality. The Statue of Liberty is right where she should be, but she is depicted leaning over, amazed at the sight of Cyclops. Even if they miss some of the gags, young readers will see Cyclops' loving nature and cheer his new bravery. Delightful, witty, and not just for New Yorkers. (Picture book. 7-10)

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January 1, 2020

PreS-Gr 2-When the Cyclops of Central Park loses one of his 18 sheep, he must leave the comfort and security of his cave and traverse the entire city to get him back, stopping at some very familiar landmarks along the way. By the end of his journey, he's not only found his missing sheep, but the courage to adventure out into the world with his flock. Nods to many New York City sights and institutions-The Guggenheim, Time Square, Yankee Stadium, the Statue of Liberty-are woven into the text and background art, which makes the fun journey worthwhile. The graphic-style watercolor and gouache paintings definitely elevate the entire piece; the use of bold color matched against an often negative background highlights and celebrates the artist's fascinating attention to detail. From Tentler-Krylov's unique character design to the varied textures in the clothes they wear, the illustrations capture the magic of the city and show the beauty of life and adventures with friends. VERDICT This lighthearted and clever tale will be a hit for storytime and one-on-one sharing.-Peter Blenski, Hartland Public Library, WI

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2019
Grades K-2 A sweet but anxious Cyclops likes to stay nice and safe in his Central Park cave, but when one of his sheep goes missing (again), he braves a bustling New York City, embarking on a city-wide hunt for the adventurous Eugene. After combing through landmarks such as the Guggenheim Museum and Yankee Stadium, he enlists the help of his remaining flock, and they know exactly where to look?on a roller coaster in Coney Island. Rosenberg's heartfelt narrative captures the very real anxiety that crowded spaces, especially congested cities, can cause. Tentler-Krylov's fanciful mixed-media art adds even more humor and gravitas to the text, with the protagonist's expressive faces sure to elicit giggles. The silly scenes of the sheep holding walkie-talkies in the subway and the Statue of Liberty peering in disbelief give this tale a Where's Waldo? feel. Perfect for New York City-themed read-alouds and interactive lap-sits. A great addition to libraries serving young readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)