In this narrative based on a Tibetan tale, a young boy saves a wounded musk deer, compassionately nurses it, and ultimately faces the inevitable—letting it go. Soros’s understanding of the Tibetan culture and Buddhism and her knowledge of the landscape are conveyed with the clarity and respect a young reader will comprehend. The cultural references in text and illustration are accurate and vivid: juniper branches on charcoal fires, yak butter, “prayers sounding like droning of bees,” teapot, costume, and home. The gouache illustrations incorporate vibrant colors of red and blue, beginning with exquisite endpapers portraying musk deer gracefully loping on a luscious blue background. Bright red decorative borders alternately curve around text visually moving the reader through the story, or form rectangular frames around illustrations, effectively enclosing the picture. Sometimes the clutter of clouds, stylishly depicted, interferes with the vast expanse of sky and terrain that is typical of the Tibetan landscape and several illustrations do not mirror or expand the narrative. The text at the conclusion describes an eagle swirling in front of the sun and swans in the lake, but they are not in the accompanying illustration. But the need to preserve and tell what is unique and precious—the Tibetan’s non-violent view of the world—is a significant and noble objective. Not wanting to leave this to chance, Soros uses an afterword to discuss aspects of the Tibetan culture such as medicine, Buddhism, and the nature of destiny. The intent is purposeful and the audience is the adult, who is, in turn, encouraged to discuss the story and background with the child. Although the story is engaging and stands on its own, the appreciation of a culture that embraces compassion for all sentient beings and rejects aggression and violence distinguishes this work and depends on this final page. (Picture book. 5-10)
Pub Date: March 1, 2003
ISBN: 1-84148-811-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2003
The thoughtless words of childhood become the focus of the narrator's haunted memories of WW II. Helen recalls the events of her ninth birthday in occupied France in 1942. Lydia, her best friend, comes over to spend the night, and they amuse themselves by telling ghost stories. When a stranger wearing a yellow star like Lydia's comes looking for a place to hide, Lydia suddenly wants to go home. Helen is angry and shouts to the departing girl that she is not her friend anymore. The next day Lydia and her family have disappeared. The simple storyline brings together a complex combination of elements—ghost stories and fights between friends who suddenly find themselves in the context of war—all of which are penetrated by an equally complex narratorial voice, capable of differentiating among subtle shades of emotion. It belongs both to the old woman telling the story and to the nine-year-old girl she was. As a result of this layering of perspective, the characters and story have depth through minimal means (sketchy details, snatches of conversation). This is even more effective in the wondrous pictures. In her first book, Kang's palette contains only browns, grays, yellows, and redsmuted colors, forming the geometric interiors of barren apartments. If the individual colors and shapes in the pictures are simple, as a whole they create an intensely expressive atmosphere. (Picture book. 7-10)
Pub Date: May 8, 1995
ISBN: 0-8027-8373-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Walker
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1995
BOOK REVIEW
A charming contemporary story with a classic feel.
A 10 ¾-year-old girl weathers changes in her social circle—and her sense of self.
Dubbed “Queen of the Neighborhood” by beloved neighbor Mr. Chapman, who has sadly left Maryland for balmy Florida, Zara is apprehensive when a family with two kids moves into his house, potentially upsetting the delicate social balance. Readers familiar with Khan’s Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream books, set a few years after this series opener, will recognize the bustling Pakistani American Muslim household. Assertive, organized Zara and rambunctious 7-year-old Zayd live with their Mama and Baba; the siblings’ grandparents and uncle are integral parts of their daily lives. Zara and Zayd enjoy playing outside with their friends—Black sisters Jade and Gloria, White Alan, and Chinese American Melvin. Mr. Chapman always said that Zara knew how to “rule with grace and fairness,” but new arrivals Naomi and Michael, Jewish kids who are eager to engage socially, put this to the test. When Jamal Mamoo, Mama’s brother, brings over his Guinness World Records book, Zara decides that becoming a world-record holder is the boost her social status needs. Her humorous (and futile) attempts to make her mark ultimately lead her to being a more patient and understanding big sister and more flexible and supportive companion to friends old and new. Strong pacing, fluid prose, engaging hijinks, and heartwarming scenes of family life and outdoor play are complemented by expressive illustrations.
A charming contemporary story with a classic feel. (Fiction. 7-10)Pub Date: April 19, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5344-9759-7
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 12, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2022
PERSPECTIVES
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