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FELIX'S HAT

Name: FELIX'S HAT
Author: Catherine Bancroft
ISBN: 0-02-708325-X

by Catherine Bancroft & illustrated by Gruenberg Hannah Cole ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 1993

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When Felix loses his favorite orange visored cap on a trip to the pond, his family is wonderfully sympathetic: teenage Philomena takes him out in a boat to look for it; little Freda offers to share her teddy at bedtime; and Mommy tells Felix a comforting story—but it's big brother Frank who comes up with the gift that helps Felix fall asleep that night: ``Here, buddy, it's my old red hat that I won at the County Fair.'' What makes this story special—and deliciously funny—is that the characters are frogs who stand as erect as humans, and certainly exhibit human behavior, but are also very frog-like when they get among the lily pads. The lively, well-honed text is sprinkled with amusing details (Felix in an inner tube pretending to be a Cheerio in milk, etc.); Gruenberg's illustrations, in delicate pen lines and bright watercolors with a green theme, are warm with humor and a keen understanding of the family scene. A fine debut for this new team. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 31, 1993

ISBN: 0-02-708325-X

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Four Winds/MacMillan

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1993

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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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)