by Chitra Soundar ; illustrated by Frané Lessac ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2017
A whimsical traditional flood story for comparative-religion shelves.
This flood story is based on a traditional tale told by the Irula people of South India, who, according to the author’s note, view themselves as descendants of the titular Pattan.
Tribal villagers Pattan and his wife, Kanni, live in harmony with nature and the animals, birds, and insects around them. On an “ailing plant” that Pattan rescues and nurtures develops a pumpkin that keeps on growing until “Pattan had to climb on an elephant to see the top of the pumpkin. And still it grew bigger….” When the crashing, lashing rain brings floods, Pattan, with the help of the animals, hollows out the inside of that giant pumpkin and loads into it all the animals, as well as sacks of grain, seeds, and herbs that Kanni has filled. It rains and rains for “many a day and night,” and the enormous pumpkin bobs along until one sunny day, it comes to rest safely on the plains. Author Soundar’s simple text is set in typography that varies from time to time, some words set in boldface type, some words in all uppercase letters, in what seems to be an inconsistent and somewhat unnecessary emphasis. Colorful, authentic-feeling, and vibrant illustrations look similar to traditional Indian folk art and carry the story. Although this accessible story is not religious and stands on its own, it is comparable to flood stories in the Sumerian, Mesopotamian, and Judeo-Christian cultures.
A whimsical traditional flood story for comparative-religion shelves. (Picture book/religion. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9274-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: June 4, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2017
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by Kathryn Heling Deborah Hembrook & illustrated by Andy Robert Davies ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 2012
Pair this with Leo Timmers’ Who Is Driving? (2007) for twice the guessing fun.
Heling and Hembrook’s clever conceit challenges children to analyze a small town’s clotheslines to guess the job each of their owners does.
Close-up on the clothesline: “Uniform and cap, / an invite for you. / Big bag of letters. / What job does she do?” A turn of the page reveals a macro view of the home, van and the woman doing her job, “She is a mail carrier.” Indeed, she can be spotted throughout the book delivering invitations to all the rest of the characters, who gather at the end for a “Launch Party.” The verses’ rhymes are spot-on, though the rhythm falters a couple of times. The authors nicely mix up the gender stereotypes often associated with several of these occupations, making the carpenter, firefighter and astronaut women. But while Davies keeps uniforms and props pretty neutral (he even avoids U.S. mail symbols), he keeps to the stereotypes that allow young readers to easily identify occupations—the farmer chews on a stalk of wheat; the beret-wearing artist sports a curly mustache. A subdued palette and plain white backgrounds keep kids’ focus on the clothing clues. Still, there are plenty of details to absorb—the cat with arched back that anticipates a spray of water, the firefighter who “lights” the rocket.
Pair this with Leo Timmers’ Who Is Driving? (2007) for twice the guessing fun. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-58089-251-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: May 15, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2012
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by Patricia Toht ; illustrated by Jarvis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 14, 2023
Egg-stra special.
The creators of Pick a Pine Tree (2017) and Pick a Pumpkin (2019) cover each step of a popular Easter tradition.
The first stop for a light-skinned caregiver and child is the farm. Peering into the henhouse, they spot an egg (reminding readers that eggs don’t originate at the grocery store). More eggs are collected throughout the spring countryside and brought home, ready to hard boil. While the eggs are cooling, it’s time to prepare the dye! The lively text highlights natural methods first (“Stew some plants / to make a brew: / beets turn eggs / a rosy hue. / Spinach? Green! / Berries? Blue! / Try some herbs / or spices, too”) but also gives a nod to store-bought kits. After a full day of egg decorating, the youngster wakes up the next morning for a festive neighborhood egg hunt. Happily, treats found inside plastic eggs are not limited to sugar only; they include secret notes, tiny toys, and coins, too. (The child adds their dyed eggs to this bounty.) Sprays of bright greens, a shining sun, and dotted buds on trees as well as pastel bunting and fuzzy bunny ears and flower crowns on little ones bring a light, airy lift to this joyful community gathering. The children involved in the egg hunt are diverse in skin tone. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Egg-stra special. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Feb. 14, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-5362-2847-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Nov. 15, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2022
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