A tale by Pushkin, based—according to the copyright page—on a translation by Pauline Hejl and adapted for the picture-book form. A trio of evil women—two sisters and the tsar's cousin—vow to destroy the young woman whom the tsar chooses to marry. Plotting against her, they have her and her infant son sealed inside a barrel and thrown into the sea. An enchanted swan effects a magical destiny for them, and the tsar, his wife, and their son are eventually reunited. The convoluted tale describes three journeys back and forth, the length and details of which lessen the impact of the matter-of-fact telling. The text becomes particularly confusing when the son of the tsar's wife marries a ``tsar's daughter,'' without offering readers a clue as to how the word tsar is used. The story is little more than a beam on which to hang the artwork: delicately executed, intricate paintings of scenery and costume, animals and magical events, in which Spirin shows Russian culture in all its splendor. (Picture book/folklore. 5-8)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-8037-2001-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
An involving tale to help youngsters understand the effects of oil spills by focusing on the travails of a single loon. Drenched in oil, a loon hides in the shallows near a willow tree. Martin (Good Times on Grandfather Mountain, 1992, etc.) introduces a succession of volunteers, diverse in occupation, age, gender, race, and in their reasons for tending birds. Methodically the bird is cleaned and cared for, until it is ready to be restored to the wild. Inspirational in tone, the book will appeal to readers with an interest in environmental matters. Carpenter's finely textured oil paintings expressively convey the practical work of cleaning birds. A fact-filled, helpful ``Note on Bird Rehabilitation'' is included. (Picture book. 5-8)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1995
ISBN: 0-689-80415-6
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1995
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Arlo Gopher doesn't make a good start with his new neighbor, Vic Bear: on moving day, his sprinkler dampens Vic's belongings. Still, after Arlo helps Vic lug his boxes indoors and they share other experiences including storytelling and eating ice cream, the two become friends. Natural-sounding dialogue, warm humor, and expressive cartoon-style illustrations make this an appealing choice for beginning readers. (Easy reader. 5-8)
Pub Date: March 29, 1991
ISBN: 0-06-024023-7
Page Count: 64
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1991
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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