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A TO ZEN

Name: A TO ZEN
Author: Ruth Wells
ISBN: 0-88708-175-4

A BOOK OF JAPANESE CULTURE

by Ruth Wells & illustrated by Yoshi ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 20, 1992

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Alphabet-book format can prove unaccommodating for informational books; still, it's sometimes used to surprisingly good effect, as it is here. Wells offers a broad sampling of features of Japanese culture that happen to be initialed by Western letters—aikido (from the martial arts); chanoyu (the tea ceremony); daruma dolls, Zen's appealing aid to goal-setting; Hiroshima (and its Peace Park); origami; and even such contemporary items as wokuman (Walkman)—all chosen to interest young readers as well as to exemplify Japanese society. A brief anecdotal paragraph explains each; the word written in Japanese characters and an elegantly designed illustration complete the page. There's no ``X,'' a sensible solution to an often vexing problem, but other letters are missing, too: ``L,'' ``Q,'' ``V.'' (Also, though what would be the front of the book reads, ``This book begins on the other side,'' and it progresses in the reverse of the usual order, the title page is in the ``normal'' position- -or after ``Z,'' depending on how you look at it.) Still, nice. (Nonfiction/Picture book. 8-11)

Pub Date: Nov. 20, 1992

ISBN: 0-88708-175-4

Page Count: 24

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 1992

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE FARMER AND THE POOR GOD
adapted by Ruth Wells & illustrated by Yoshi

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MONSTER MATH

by Anne Miranda & illustrated by Anne Miranda ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1999

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Miranda’s book counts the monsters gathering at a birthday party, while a simple rhyming text keeps the tally and surveys the action: “Seven starved monsters are licking the dishes./Eight blow out candles and make birthday wishes.” The counting proceeds to ten, then by tens to fifty, then gradually returns to one, which makes the monster’s mother, a purple pin-headed octopus, very happy. The book is surprisingly effective due to Powell’s artwork; the color has texture and density, as if it were poured onto the page, but the real attention-getter is the singularity of every monster attendee. They are highly individual and, therefore, eminently countable. As the numbers start crawling upward, it is both fun and a challenge to try to recognize monsters who have appeared in previous pages, or to attempt to stay focused when counting the swirling or bunched creatures. The story has glints of humor, and in combination with the illustrations is a grand addition to the counting shelf. (Picture book. 3-8)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-15-201835-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Harcourt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

- BOOK REVIEW
TANGLED
by Anne Miranda ; illustrated by Eric Comstock

- BOOK REVIEW
VROOM, CHUGGA, VROOM-VROOM
by Anne Miranda & illustrated by David Murphy

- BOOK REVIEW
TO MARKET, TO MARKET
by Anne Miranda & illustrated by Janet Stevens

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QUACK AND COUNT

by Keith Baker & illustrated by Keith Baker ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1999

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Baker (Big Fat Hen, 1994, etc.) engages in more number play, posing ducklings in every combination of groups, e.g., “Splashing as they leap and dive/7 ducklings, 2 plus 5.” Using a great array of streaked and dappled papers, Baker creates a series of leafy collage scenes for the noisy, exuberant ducklings to fill, tucking in an occasional ladybug or other small creature for sharp-eyed pre-readers to spot. Children will regretfully wave goodbye as the ducks fly off in neat formation at the end of this brief, painless introduction to several basic math concepts. (Picture book. 4-6)