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HOW RAVEN BROUGHT LIGHT TO PEOPLE

Name: HOW RAVEN BROUGHT LIGHT TO PEOPLE
Author: Ann Dixon
ISBN: 0-689-50536-1

adapted by Ann Dixon & illustrated by James Watts ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 1992

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Hearing that a great chief holds the sun, moon, and stars captive, Raven determines to release them. Reborn as the chief's grandson, he whines, cajoles, and throws tantrums until the indulgent old man hands over the heavenly bodies. After escaping through a sooty smoke-hole with the sun, Raven's feathers are permanently black. Watts's paintings, with the enthroned chief clad in heavy Chilkat ceremonial robes and surrounded by carved boxes and other evidence of wealth, are at odds with Dixon's light touch. The powerful, stylized animal motifs of Northwest Coastal art, seen by bright firelight, seem an integral part of the vibrantly colored natural world—more so than the clownish human figures, which add little to the story save some exaggerated gestures and grimaces. The chief accepts his loss so benignly that readers may wonder why Raven didn't just ask, instead of going to all that trouble. (Folklore/Picture book. 6-9)

Pub Date: March 31, 1992

ISBN: 0-689-50536-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: McElderry

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1992

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
WHEN POSEY PEEKED AT CHRISTMAS
by Ann Dixon and illustrated by Anne Kennedy

- BOOK REVIEW
BLUEBERRY SHOE
by Ann Dixon

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THE CLASS WITH THE SUMMER BIRTHDAYS

by Dian Curtis Regan & illustrated by Susan Guevara ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1991

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An amiable story concerning a class of third-graders whose biggest problem is that, since they are grouped by month of birth, they never get a chance to celebrate their birthdays in school. Likable protagonist Brittany's other worries are a tiff with her best friend and being heckled by the class tease, who doesn't yet know what a good baseball player she really is. Brittany saves the day and wins everyone's approval by suggesting that the kids adopt and celebrate the birthdays of historical figures. Realistic characterization and amusing plot details here add up to a satisfying, if undemanding, story. Probably only librarians will be jarred by references to the author of Hans Brinker (not a likely book for a contemporary third-grader to read) as ``Mary Dodge.'' Illustrations not seen.~(Fiction. 7-9)

Pub Date: April 1, 1991

ISBN: 0-8050-1657-0

Page Count: 80

Publisher: Henry Holt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1991

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
SPACE BOY AND THE SNOW MONSTER
by Dian Curtis Regan ; illustrated by Robert Neubecker

- BOOK REVIEW
SPACE BOY AND THE SPACE PIRATE
by Dian Curtis Regan ; illustrated by Robert Neubecker

- BOOK REVIEW
SPACE BOY AND HIS DOG
by Dian Curtis Regan ; illustrated by Robert Neubecker

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SERIOUS SCIENCE

by Janice Lee Smith & illustrated by Dick Gackenbach ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 28, 1993

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After Ms. D.'s class gets to participate in the big kids' science fair, the children develop just the exhibits that those familiar with the six earlier ``Adam Joshua'' books would expect- -Nelson hopes to prove that his fish has ESP; Sidney is growing cultures in his big brother's socks; and so on. Most of the episodic story is given to following the projects' progress, with added humor in the predictable interaction of familiar characters (Elliott steals Adam Joshua's idea of a solar system model, but AJ knows the subject better), fending off younger siblings (AJ's baby sister eats his planets), and the shenanigans of Ms. D`s boyish husband. With consistently perky dialogue, dozens of brief, funny incidents, and Gackenbach's appealing primary- graders sprinkled liberally throughout (plus the skeleton Mr. D. contributes adorning the jacket): an inviting entry in a popular series. (Fiction. 7-9)