From the Publisher
"A high-spirited impetus to clap hands—or better yet, someone else's." —Kirkus
"The pictures offer plenty of room to receive readers’ high-five innovations, and the pages crackle with Salmieri’s neon palette and scratchy, kinetic pencil lines." —Publishers Weekly
"An interesting concept will elicit giggles and enthusiasm from readers, and neon colored pencil illustrations, reminiscent of 80s spandex suits, fill pages with vibrancy and energy." —School Library Journal
"This new offering from the Dragons Love Tacos team is sure to delight audiences—and should make for lively story times." —Booklist
Kirkus Reviews
2019-01-15
The Dragons Love Tacos (2012) crew invites readers to the 75th Annual High Five Tournament.
It's not going to be a walkover, as opponents in the five rounds range from Gigantic the Bear ("700 Pounds of Hair") and, after her, dizzying bouncer Kangaroo Paul to the ultimate challenger, eight-limbed Octopus Jones. Fortunately, young contenders have a yetilike ex-champ in their corner to offer vigorous if unevenly rhymed and metered commentary ("Was that your new signature slap? / My grandma fives better than that!") as well as savvy advice on hand positioning and style points. Accentuated by block letters in diverse hues and the occasional outsized "HIGH FIVE!" Salmieri's scribbly ink-and-colored-pencil drawings of the all-animal cast, audience, and panel of judges reflect the infectiously rising suspense and wild excitement as the unseen "Kid" the narrator addresses sends each foe in succession reeling away in stunned defeat. Just one thing left to do: "Hold up your trophy / and shout out ‘woo-hoo!' / The new high five champ is you!" Along with the verbal coaching, a chart of variations on "The Classic," such as "The Windmill," "The Double Behind the Back Slam," and even "The High Foot," offers further challenges to ambitious fivers of all genders. As characters frequently address "Kid" directly and hold up dramatically foreshortened hands or paws to viewers, caregivers should be ready for this book to take a beating.
A high-spirited impetus to clap hands—or better yet, someone else's. (Picture book. 5-8)
