The creator of The Magic Horse of Han Gan (2006) offers another set of big, dramatic illustrations done in a classical Chinese style—but this time in service to a poorly written (or poorly translated) story. Orphaned by cruel General Zhao during the building of the Great Wall, a lad is taken in by sage Master Yang, studies the Eagle Boxing style of kung fu and then carries on the tradition after Zhao “treacherously attacked Master Yang in the back” during the climactic battle. Whether seen as tiny figures in rocky, bleak landscapes or closer up, scowling and posing in balletic fighting postures, Yang and the lad are strongly present in the art—as is Master Yang’s particularly fierce-looking eagle—and will make a more lasting impression than the terse, sketchy text. Fans of Emily Arnold McCully’s Beautiful Warrior (1998) may be mildly appreciative. (Picture book. 7-9)
Pub Date: Oct. 30, 2007
ISBN: 978-1-59270-071-4
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2007
Goodman (Ultimate Field Trip #3, p. 799, etc.) offers the riveting and true account of John Walsh, who has dedicated his life to saving animals. The subject is surprisingly accessible in the Ready-To-Read series format; the suspense of the story will keep emerging readers turning pages. The tale opens in Suriname, a jungle in South America, where Walsh is hurriedly canoeing to reach trapped animals before the rising water levels overtake them. A dam that has been built across one of Suriname’s rivers is causing the water to back up and flood the jungle. Walsh and his crew are plucking sloths off of the topmost branches of trees and saving starved tortoises from their perches on the last bit of dry land. The two other chapters cover Walsh’s exciting work in a Kuwaiti zoo after the Gulf War, and in Kobe, Japan, in the wake of an earthquake. Full-color photographs on every page enrich the already evocative text. (Nonfiction. 6-9)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-689-81794-0
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 1999
to togetherness. Friendly. (Easy reader. 6-8)
Diversion centering around a tree marks three seasons of a friendship in this book of short chapters and simple vocabulary
intended for beginning readers. In "Leaves," sheep comrades Blanche and Otis rake falling leaves and are about to dump them when Blanche bemoans the lack of leaves in her own yard, which has only a pine tree. Otis rigs the bags of leaves with string in Blanche’s tree and surprises her with falling leaves. In "The Storm," sadly, Otis’s tree falls over, but in "Christmas," Blanche builds chairs out of logs from the tree as a gift. "Spring" arrives and the two sheep plant and tend a new pine tree, which quickly provides a home to baby birds. Quiet action, soft colors, and understated expressions characterize this unassuming collection of humble happenings. The characters are not defined as distinct individuals, rather it is their esprit de corps that effects the warmth of these tales dedicated
to togetherness. Friendly. (Easy reader. 6-8)Pub Date: March 15, 2000
ISBN: 0-8234-1376-4
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2000
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