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WHILE YOU ARE ASLEEP

Name: WHILE YOU ARE ASLEEP
Author: Gwynne L. Isaacs
ISBN: 0-8027-6985-3

by Gwynne L. Isaacs & illustrated by Cathi Hepworth ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 5, 1991

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It's night, but many people are working: Marsha, who works in an all-night doughnut shop; Donald, a gas station attendant; and all the people who help get Donald's wife to the hospital to have a baby—telephone operator, policeman, taxi driver. The story is simple but nicely shaped to convey its image of a busy, mysterious though essentially ordinary time. In illustrations that nicely capture the contrast between the quiet, dimly-lit streets and the patches of lively activity, Hepworth adds appealing, carefully selected detail. Her people, like Susan Jeschke's, tend to be as almost aggressively plain, but they also have a nice warmth and humanity. Good debuts for both author and illustrator. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: June 5, 1991

ISBN: 0-8027-6985-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Walker

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1991

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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A DOG NAMED SAM

by Janice Boland & illustrated by G. Brian Karas ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1996

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A book that will make young dog-owners smile in recognition and confirm dogless readers' worst suspicions about the mayhem caused by pets, even winsome ones. Sam, who bears passing resemblance to an affable golden retriever, is praised for fetching the family newspaper, and goes on to fetch every other newspaper on the block. In the next story, only the children love Sam's swimming; he is yelled at by lifeguards and fishermen alike when he splashes through every watering hole he can find. Finally, there is woe to the entire family when Sam is bored and lonely for one long night. Boland has an essential message, captured in both both story and illustrations of this Easy-to-Read: Kids and dogs belong together, especially when it's a fun-loving canine like Sam. An appealing tale. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: April 1, 1996

ISBN: 0-8037-1530-7

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Dial Books

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1996

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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BERRY MAGIC

by Teri Sloat & Betty Huffman & illustrated by Teri Sloat ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2004

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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)