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Sunday, September 17, 2023

The Ice Cream Vanishes, written and illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2023. $n25.99 ages 3 and up

 

"It is soft and cold. 
Like a sweet summer snowball.
This is ice cream! 
A chill zips down my tail. 
Could this be magic? 

This might be the snack I've 
been looking for.
"

A quick look at the front endpapers will have little ones' mouths watering for the ice cream treat that garners all attention in this very witty new book from an established author and artist. Following up on her success with The Bear Ate Your Sandwich (Knopf, 2015) and There Are No Bears in This Bakery (Knopf, 2019), delighted fans will be happy to share this new adventure. 

On the title page Squirrel can be seen carrying an acorn across the wire that passes above an ice cream truck. It is Squirrel's first-person voice that captures attention with a suggestion that the reader keep a close eye on the acorn. Squirrel purports to be a magician, and assures that, with all the right words, that acorn will disappear. No magic words make it happen. 

The ice cream truck's bell now commands attention. Squirrel discovers an ice cream cone lying on the nearby sidewalk. Perhaps it is the magic snack. Off Squirrel goes to wake his friend Bear, who is sound asleep. It takes a while. By the time Bear is mobile, the ice cream has disappeared! Squirrel has magic! 

What follows is a wondrous discovery, and a very funny magic show with their animal friends. The result is a bust, or is it? 

"The show was such a hit that everyone wanted 
to make things disappear. 

Inside there were icy crunchers 
for the raccoons. 
Sweet snowballs for the bunnies.
Shivery drippers for the birds. 
And so many hats.
"

The surprise ending is sure to elicit yet another chuckle. 

Illustrations created using acrylic paint, gouache, and pen and pencil are filled with charming details that will keep young readers coming back to see what's new each time the story is read.  Don't miss the endpapers at the back.                                                                           


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