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AFTER THE FLOOD

Name: AFTER THE FLOOD
Author: Arthur Geisert
ISBN: 0-395-66611-2

by Arthur Geisert & illustrated by Arthur Geisert ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1994

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Touching his elegantly delineated etchings with watercolor, in the manner of hand-colored 19th-century illustrations, an artist best known for the antics of his pigs (Pigs from A to Z, 1986) adds a sequel to his version of The Ark (1988). Again, engineering feats figure conspicuously in Geisert's imaginative conception: stranded on precipitous Ararat, a peaceable kingdom of Noah's family and animals work together to move the ark, in sections, down an elaborate ramp and overturn the hull for a new dwelling, where ``stories were read.'' Then, ``Crops grew. The animals multiplied,'' until the earth is repopulated. Meanwhile, in a visual subtext, grape vines and their fruit—bold and dark in the foreground—seem to have an ominous (but never explicitly mentioned) significance that children unaware of Noah's problem with the bottle late in life will happily ignore while poring over the lovingly detailed art. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 1, 1994

ISBN: 0-395-66611-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1994

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
HOW THE BIG BAD WOLF GOT HIS COMMEUPPANCE
by Lisa Wilke Pope ; illustrated by Arthur Geisert

- BOOK REVIEW
PUMPKIN ISLAND
by Arthur Geisert ; illustrated by Arthur Geisert

- BOOK REVIEW
THUNDERSTORM
by Arthur Geisert ; illustrated by Arthur Geisert

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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)