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FUN WITH MRS. THUMB

Name: FUN WITH MRS. THUMB
Author: Jan Mark
ISBN: 1-56402-247-7

by Jan Mark & illustrated by Nicola Bayley ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1993

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Poor Mrs. Thumb! In Bayley's small, exquisitely detailed illustrations, the little wooden doll moves from room to room of a quaint, beautifully furnished dollhouse, vainly trying to keep out of reach of a complacently self-absorbed cat—``Do you like/hide-and seek?/Let's play you're/a mouse—/I'll bite, you squeak.'' Mark's succinct, artfully phrased text darts and pounces like Puss herself, while the nicely varied art pictures the cat outside the little house plus glimpses from within, where only a predatory paw or bit of nose and whisker can make their way through the tiny window. Finally, a big hand rescues Mrs. Thumb and feeds the cat, but the respite is temporary—``...in a while...I'll look through the window...with my smile/and all my lovely teeth.'' An elegant little charmer of a book. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1993

ISBN: 1-56402-247-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Candlewick

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1993

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
USEFUL IDIOTS
by Jan Mark

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MIDAS TOUCH
adapted by Jan Mark

- BOOK REVIEW
THE TALE OF TOBIAS
adapted by Jan Mark & illustrated by Rachel Merriman

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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)