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ALBERT GOES HOLLYWOOD

Name: ALBERT GOES HOLLYWOOD
Author: Henry Schwartz
ISBN: 0-531-05980-4

by Henry Schwartz & illustrated by Amy Schwartz ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1992

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Like the Biggest Bear, the friendly blue dinosaur that Liz brought home to L.A. from Baja California (How I Captured a Dinosaur, 1989) is growing so huge that he's becoming a problem: The PTA can no longer foot his food bill in exchange for educational services, and his job as a lifeguard ends with the summer. Hoping to avoid the zoo, Liz takes him to Hollywood, where he is promptly drafted for a screen test. Success comes on the second try, after Albert's initial shyness is overcome, and it's back to Baja for a film with Albert and Liz playing themselves and famous stars as Mom and Dad. In Henry Schwartz's disarmingly straightforward narration, the outsize events seem as delightfully ordinary as one of his daughter Amy's realistic picture books (Annabelle Swift, Kindergartner, 1988). Albert continues to be a charmer, especially as depicted in amusing pictures of the fantastic creature in everyday settings, helping out or being taken for granted by various blasÇ observers. One of the better dinosaur fantasies. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 1, 1992

ISBN: 0-531-05980-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Orchard

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1992

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)