bookshelf

JOJOFU

Name: JOJOFU
Author: Michael P. Waite
ISBN: 0-688-13660-5

by Michael P. Waite & illustrated by Yoriko Ito ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1996

bookshelf

Based, according to the author's note, on a Japanese folktale from a medieval scroll, this story features Jojofu (or ``Heroine''), the ``bravest and smartest hunting dog in the land.'' Jojofu is the young Takumi's favorite among his many dogs, all of whom he loves ``as if they were his own children.'' Even though it looks as if Jojofu is leading him into danger, she is actually saving him: from a landslide, a misstep off a mist-shrouded cliff, and the jaws of a serpent. Following a magnificent full-spread battle with the serpent, Jojofu's bravery and resourcefulness are not exhausted; she directs Takumi in his rescue of the other dogs, swallowed whole by the monster and trapped in its stomach. Forever after, she is known as ``watashi no me to mimi'' to Takumi, or his eyes and his ears. Resplendent illustrations set the story both culturally and dramatically, making use of forced perspective and the boundless, unframed focus of traditional Japanese art. Waite and Ito have created a book that will be read and reread often, not only because of its felicitous blend of words and pictures, but also because children will readily identify with the dog who works so hard to make an adult listen. (Picture book/folklore. 5+)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1996

ISBN: 0-688-13660-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1996

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

bookshelf

THE WILD ROBOT PROTECTS

From the Wild Robot series , Vol. 3

by Peter Brown ; illustrated by Peter Brown ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 26, 2023

Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.

bookshelf

Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.

When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.

Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)

Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023

ISBN: 9780316669412

Page Count: 288

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S ACTION & ADVENTURE FICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
CREEPY CRAYON!
by Aaron Reynolds ; illustrated by Peter Brown

- BOOK REVIEW
FRED GETS DRESSED
by Peter Brown ; illustrated by Peter Brown

- BOOK REVIEW
THE WILD ROBOT ESCAPES
by Peter Brown ; illustrated by Peter Brown

bookshelf

DIARY OF A SPIDER

by Doreen Cronin & illustrated by Harry Bliss ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2005

bookshelf

The wriggly narrator of Diary of a Worm (2003) puts in occasional appearances, but it’s his arachnid buddy who takes center stage here, with terse, tongue-in-cheek comments on his likes (his close friend Fly, Charlotte’s Web), his dislikes (vacuums, people with big feet), nervous encounters with a huge Daddy Longlegs, his extended family—which includes a Grandpa more than willing to share hard-won wisdom (The secret to a long, happy life: “Never fall asleep in a shoe.”)—and mishaps both at spider school and on the human playground. Bliss endows his garden-dwellers with faces and the odd hat or other accessory, and creates cozy webs or burrows colorfully decorated with corks, scraps, plastic toys and other human detritus. Spider closes with the notion that we could all get along, “just like me and Fly,” if we but got to know one another. Once again, brilliantly hilarious. (Picture book. 6-8)