Kevin O'Malley
Kevin O'Malley has a wild sense of humor and it comes through loud and clear in his books. In 1992, he made his children's book debut with Froggy Went A-Courting, based on a well known folk ballad. Kevin said that when he first heard the song, he didn't understand what the term carding meant. In his mind it conjured up a card game. And guess what, that is the spin that he gave to his version of the story. Froggy is a notorious gangster gambler, and Miss Mousie, his bride to be, is the owner of a posh gambling nightclub. His funny scenes are populated with frogs, raccoon, bugs, cats, and the like dressed and acting just like people.
That same year 1992 he wrote the text and created the art for BRUNO, You're Late for School, an amusing tale of a young boy rhinoceroses whose mighty sneeze launches his homework out of his apartment window. A madcap chase ensues with Bruno's homework finally rescued, all be it, a bit worse for its travels. Teacher gives poor Bruno a C- for such messy work. During the chase Bruno meets the cities denizens, a collection of animals in human dress and endeavors, but with absolutely wonderful expressions. Both books have delightful full-page colored pencil drawings, but regretfully are out of print.
In a return to folk tales, Kevin produced his version of Who Killed Cock Robin? (1993, Lothrop, Ages 4 up, $15.00). Readers are asked to solve a jewel theft with Inspector Owl. Clues sprinkled in the illustrations help the sharp-eyed reader. Another delightful and funny book with his signature animals and their human characteristics. Kevin's book Roller Coaster (1995, Lothrop, Ages 4 up, $15.00). It is a different style, still humorous, but softer in tone. A young girl delights in a day's outing at an amusement park, her only disappointment ¾ she's too small to ride the roller coaster. In the next year she grows big enough to satisfy her heart's desire ¾ riding the Monster Coaster.
Kevin has also illustrated books written by others such as Cinder Edna, Big Squeak, Little Squeake, and Chanukah in Chelm and has worked in animating multimedia displays for clients including the Smithsonian Institution. His latest books range from nonfiction to outrageous humor. He has always loved drawing and shares his enthusiasm with kids in the talks he gives at schools. Kevin lives in Baltimore, Maryland with his artist wife and two sons. For more about Kevin O'Malley, visit his web site.
Reviews
Big Squeak, Little Squeak
Robert Kraus
Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
Kraus and O'Malley have teamed up to produce a charming little book. Two mice are tired of eating cheese curls, and go to the neighborhood cheese store. It's run, unfortunately, by a Mr. Kit Kat, who seems very nice, but once mice enter his store they never come out! But Little Squeak manages to get the best of Mr. Kit Kat, who will never bother mice again. Cute and funny, and the illustrations are terrific. 1996, Orchard, Ages 4 to 7, $14.95 and $15.99. Reviewer: Judy Silverman
The Candystore Man
Jonathan London
Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
Sorry! The illustrations are great, but the text does not live up to this excerpt from the book's blurb; "the jazzy proprietor of a corner candy store takes a lonely young boy under his wing." The title page visually says that-and also the first two double page spreads. After that, it's be-bop and give away candy! 1998, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, Ages 4 to 8, $16.00. Reviewer: Carolyn Dennette Michaels
Carl Caught A Flying Fish
Kevin O'Malley
In this sing-song-like remake of "Mary Had a Little Lamb," Carl catches a flying fish that brings him no end of trouble. After taking the big, orange fish home from a pond that is clearly marked "No fishing," Carl finds that the fish is happier eating everything he finds, sleeping in Carl's bed, and using his toothbrush than swimming around in the fish tank. Carl takes the fish to school, where he creates more disasters. When he wrecks the classroom and ties up the teacher, Carl finally acknowledges that the fish is out of control. Carl makes him clean up all of his mess, catches him once again with his fishing rod, and returns him to the pond. Carl attaches to the "No fishing" sign a note: "YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! - Carl." Readers will empathize with Carl's dilemma, and adults will enjoy the illustrated asides that clearly label Carl and his family as radical environmentalists. Carl finds his Earth-friendly convictions challenged by an arrogant fish that seems to have made a habit of taking advantage of unwary, naive fishermen. 1996, Simon & Schuster, Ages 3 to 7, $13.00. Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin
Chanukah in Chelm
David Adler
Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
It is winter in the famous town of Chelm, which in Jewish lore is filled with foolish people. The Rabbi has asked Mendel the caretaker to put out the menorah because it is the first night of Chanukah. He reminds him that it should be placed on a table so all can see the light. That begins Mendel's crazy search to find a table. While the story on its own is amusing, O'Malley has contributed his irreverent asides and comical characters to the tale. He has created double and single page illustrations executed in pen and ink with an oil wash creating muted tones that resemble rooms lit by candlelight. The subdued colors are perfect for the winter and indoor scenes in this funny story by Adler. 1997, Lothrop, Ages 5 to 10, $16.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
Cinder Edna
Ellen Jackson
Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
Cinderella, the fairy tale with the greatest number of versions, has a new incarnation in this book. Cinder Edna is Cinderella's next door neighbor. This strong resourceful girl doesn't believe in a fairy godmother, has earned money to put a dress on layaway, and knows her comfortable loafers are great for dancing. In a double ceremony she marries the prince's younger brother Rupert, laughs, jokes and plays duets on the accordion and concertina and lives more happily ever after than her beautiful, but bored neighbor, Cinderella. 1994, Lothrop, Ages 5 up, $15.00 and $15.93. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
Halloween Pie
Michael O. Tunnell
Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
Old witch made a scrumptious pumpkin pie. Its tantalizing aroma wafted out the window across the lawn and over the graveyard. The smell aroused the vampire, ghoul, ghost, banshee, zombie and skeleton who all just had to follow that smell in hopes of getting some pie. Their noses brought them to the witches house and soon they had devoured the pie. Was the poor old witch going to miss out on her special treat? Amusing more than scary o il wash and ink illustrations fill the pages of this Halloween tale. 1999, Lothrop, Ages 4 to 7, $15.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
King of the Kooties!!
Debbie Dadey
Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
In fifteen short chapters cheerily illustrated in O'Malley's black line drawings, Dadey tells how fourth grader Nate and his naive new friend Donald outwit Louisa, the class bully. While Nate's plan to "kill her with kindness" doesn't work, his later dubbing of her as "Princess of Kooties" turns the fickle playground group against Louisa and humbles her a bit. Some comedic situations with a paint spill and a secondary theme of Nate's sister trying to make her place in her class contribute some texture to the story. Louisa's bullying is hinted at as coming from her problems with math, Donald is a clueless nice guy, and Nate is portrayed in the illustrations as "brown" with a warm and supportive family-all plusses in this comfortable and mild easy reader which would appeal to young as well as older, less able, readers. 1999, Walker, Ages 7 to 10, $15.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
Miss Malarkey Doesn't Live in Room 10
Judy Finchler
Illustrations by Kevin O'Malley
Teachers live at school, don't they? Fincher's funny fantasy about the way teachers would live if their homes were at school is bound to appeal to kids. Now we know what goes on in the teachers' room and after the kids leave. An amusing story greatly enhanced by O'Mally's colored pencil illustrations that visual capture and add to the humor. 1995, Walker, Ages 5 to 8, $14.95, $15.85 and $5.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
The Planets in Our Solar System
Franklyn M. Branley
Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
Part of the "Let's Read and Find Out" series of science books for the early grades, this book takes a quick look at the nine planets in our solar system. Photographs from Voyager and other space explorers are interspersed with colorful illustrations. The author conveys the scale of our solar system with understandable analogies, for instance, if Jupiter were a hollow ball, over 1,000 Earths could fit in it! Hands-on activities (planet mobile, interplanetary distance model) are described at the back, and web sites with further information are also provided. 1998 (orig 1981), HarperCollins, Ages 5 to 9, $15.95, $15.89 and $4.95. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
Rosie's Fiddle
Phyllis Root
Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
Out-fiddle the devil? Only a crazy woman would take that dare. Rosie O'Grady fills the bill. She is a prickly woman who stays to herself. The townspeople are happy to leave her be-unless she is playing the fiddle. For Rosie it was said, "could fiddle the flowers out of their buds." The author was inspired to write this book after sighting a Montana road sign: Crazy Woman Creek. Wonderfully illustrated by Kevin O'Malley, the story of Rosie's fiddling duel with the devil is a joy to read. 1997, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, Ages 5 to 9, $16.00 and $15.93. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford
Too Many Kangaroo Things To Do!
Stuart J. Murphy
Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley
Kangaroo wants to play. All of his friends, the emu, platypuses, koalas and dingoes are too busy. What he doesn't know is that they are busy getting ready for his birthday party. Each friend describes their many tasks, and these tasks are represented with numbers on "math pages" that accompany the story. Instructions for parents are included that provide a list of suggestions for activities. This is a Level 3 book in the "Math Start" series. 1996, Harper Collins, Ages 7 up, $14.95, $14.89 and $4.95. Reviewer: Kristin Harris
Velcome
Kevin O'Malley
For the sophisticated young reader, this book is a hoot. From the warning on the front cover to those spread throughout the book, kids are told that this tale will be scary and they should stop, yes stop reading. Well, what could be more enticing. The visual humor is great with plenty going on in the pictures and the text is just as silly. A perfect choice for Halloween or anytime. 1997, Walker, Ages 5 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
Added 1999
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