On her deathbed, Lily's grandmother extracts from her a pretty wild vow: to wear a lacquered bowl upon her head to protect her innocence from all men. Lily, now alone in the world, keeps her vow, even when she is called to the landlord's house to care for his hateful wife. The wife, Matsu, torments Lily from the word go, but Matsu's son is much taken with the bowl-bedecked Lily, to the point of seeking her in marriage. The despicable Matsu tries to sabotage the event by challenging Lily to perform impossible feats, but one of the two unusual gifts Lily's grandmother left her comes to save the day. Matsu is banished, the marriage goes forth, and—on cue—the bowl splits open to rain precious stones down on the wedding party. Schroeder (The Stone Lion, p. 309, etc.) has written a weirdly wonderful adaptation of the Japanese tale (adaptation is putting it mildly, much has been diddled with here). Ito's paintings are enthralling, often resembling the panels of a delicate Japanese screen, with a beautiful sense of space. It's hard to believe that a story of a girl with a bowl on her head could have the credibility, and power, shown here. (Folklore/Picture book. 6-10)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1994
ISBN: 0-385-30792-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1994
At ``Step 2'' in the useful ``Step into Reading'' series: an admirably clear, well-balanced presentation that centers on wolves' habits and pack structure. Milton also addresses their endangered status, as well as their place in fantasy, folklore, and the popular imagination. Attractive realistic watercolors on almost every page. Top-notch: concise, but remarkably extensive in its coverage. A real bargain. (Nonfiction/Easy reader. 6-10)
Pub Date: April 1, 1992
ISBN: 0-679-91052-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
Trickling, bubbling, swirling, rushing, a river flows down from its mountain beginnings, past peaceful country and bustling city on its way to the sea. Hooper (The Drop in My Drink, 1998, etc.) artfully evokes the water’s changing character as it transforms from “milky-cold / rattling-bold” to a wide, slow “sliding past mudflats / looping through marshes” to the end of its journey. Willey, best known for illustrating Geraldine McCaughrean’s spectacular folk-tale collections, contributes finely detailed scenes crafted in shimmering, intricate blues and greens, capturing mountain’s chill, the bucolic serenity of passing pastures, and a sense of mystery in the water’s shadowy depths. Though Hooper refers to “the cans and cartons / and bits of old wood” being swept along, there’s no direct conservation agenda here (for that, see Debby Atwell’s River, 1999), just appreciation for the river’s beauty and being. (Picture book/nonfiction. 7-9)
Pub Date: June 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-7636-0792-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2000
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