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ELLA AND THE NAUGHTY LION

Name: ELLA AND THE NAUGHTY LION
Author: Anne Cottringer
ISBN: 0-395-79753-5

by Anne Cottringer & illustrated by Russell Ayto ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1996

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``The day Ella's mother came home with baby Jasper, a lion slipped through the door,'' an alter ego on the loose. The lion snatches off the baby's blanket, roars when Ella's mother feeds the infant. When the baby's teddy bear is shredded, Ella has to admonish the beast, though he is back to his old tricks soon enough. In the pivotal scene, the baby is in danger and Ella pulls through, gaining the attention she craves and finally accepting the baby into the fold. The lion as a vehicle for Ella's emotions isn't so subtle that it obscures the message. Ayto's paintings (recalling Sendak's earliest illustrations), all wobbly and expressive, masterfully convey feelings of anger, ruthless glee, and knowing shame, although they do suggest that those sentiments are not shared by Ella. If only a heroic gesture on the part of the older sibling can curtail jealousy, what recourse is there when no such opportunity presents itself? Cottringer's first book adds little to the burgeoning canon of titles about a new baby in the house, but the language is vigorous and the telling is sharp. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1996

ISBN: 0-395-79753-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1996

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
ELIOT JONES, MIDNIGHT SUPERHERO
by Anne Cottringer & illustrated by Alex T. Smith

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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)