After mining the world of comics for his previous titles, O’Connor seems to have turned to old horror films for his latest inspiration. Granted, the Some-Thing doesn’t look exactly like the Creature from the Black Lagoon, but his fins and webbed feet evoke that particular monster, as does his upright stance. Sally, a red-haired moppet in overalls, is thrilled with the Some-Thing. She’s bored with her mom and younger sibling and the Some-Thing is decidedly “not boring!” Although their first efforts to play don’t work out, they eventually discover some mutually entertaining activities—a burping contest, for instance. O’Connor’s understated text creates a kind of deadpan humor combined with his colorful single- and double-page illustrations. Executed in what appears to be pen and ink and watercolor, the pictures have a charming cartoon feel. The woodsy setting with a small cozy cabin and lily-pad strewn pond provide a comforting counterpoint to the hilariously ominous appearance of the Some-Thing. The illustrations also feature plenty of quirky details to extend the story and entertain readers. In Sally’s words: “not boring!” (Picture book. 6-8)
Pub Date: April 1, 2006
ISBN: 1-59643-141-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Neal Porter/Roaring Brook
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2006
At her best, Rylant’s (The Ticky-Tacky Doll, below, etc.) sweetness and sentiment fills the heart; in this outing, however, sentimentality reigns and the end result is pretty gooey. Pandora keeps a lighthouse: her destiny is to protect ships at sea. She’s lonely, but loves her work. She rescues Seabold and heals his broken leg, and he stays on to mend his shipwrecked boat. This wouldn’t be so bad but Pandora’s a cat and Seabold a dog, although they are anthropomorphized to the max. Then the duo rescue three siblings—mice!—and make a family together, although Rylant is careful to note that Pandora and Seabold each have their own room. Choosing what you love, caring for others, making a family out of love, it is all very well, but this capsizes into silliness. Formatted to look like the start of a new series. Oh, dear. (Fiction. 6-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2002
ISBN: 0-689-84880-3
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2002
Sloat collaborates with Huffman, a Yu’pik storyteller, to infuse a traditional “origins” tale with the joy of creating. Hearing the old women of her village grumble that they have only tasteless crowberries for the fall feast’s akutaq—described as “Eskimo ice cream,” though the recipe at the end includes mixing in shredded fish and lard—young Anana carefully fashions three dolls, then sings and dances them to life. Away they bound, to cover the hills with cranberries, blueberries, and salmonberries. Sloat dresses her smiling figures in mixes of furs and brightly patterned garb, and sends them tumbling exuberantly through grassy tundra scenes as wildlife large and small gathers to look on. Despite obtrusively inserted pronunciations for Yu’pik words in the text, young readers will be captivated by the action, and by Anana’s infectious delight. (Picture book/folktale. 6-8)
Pub Date: June 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-88240-575-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2004
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