Reviews

Pantaloon (A Golden Classic) by Kathryn Jackson, Steven Salerno

grammalynn's review against another edition

5.0

This was my favorite book when I was little, but I have the original one published in 1951 (I was 2) then) and like that version much better. The illustrations are better, etc. I still have mine, but the cover is torn, the pages are bent and some colored in my crayon “writing”. I just looked to see if I could find another, and yes I can if I want to spend $30+ dollars.

tashrow's review

4.0

A re-illustrated classic Golden Book that was first published in 1951, this book gets a charming new look. Pantaloon is a dog that loves to eat baked goods. So when a job opens at his local bakery, Pantaloon thinks he will be perfect for it. But the baker doesn’t. He thinks that Pantaloon will eat more than he bakes. Pantaloon even tries a disguise to get the job, but he’s discovered. While Pantaloon is in the barber shop getting his hair cut and trying to come up with his next plan, the baker heads out for more sugar. Unfortunately, he trips over Pantaloon’s bicycle on the way and ends up in bed. Pantaloon eagerly steps in and ices the cakes and delivers all of the goodies to customers. What will the baker say when he returns?

Jackson’s text has an old-fashioned feel to it. It has very nice repeating lines that really tie the piece together. Pantaloon yearns for baked goods in a series of lines and the goodies at the bakery are listed in a winning way each time they are featured. Salerno’s illustrations have a retro feel to them, nicely complementing the feel of the text. His use of bright colors makes the book feel fresh and vibrant.

A very nice read aloud for food or dog story times, this is a retro sugar-rush of a book. Appropriate for ages 3-5.