Continuing this publisher's efforts to offer well-written stories about special problems, Chad, who appears to be about nine, describes a family camping trip that includes his five-year-old brother Ben, who is developmentally disabled. Gifaldi (Rearranging, 1998, etc.) doesn't gloss over problems; for example, other kids at the campsite tease and stare at Ben, who screams and cries when encountering a new experience, like dragonflies. His many problems affect Chad's life, too: he can't have a pet, for instance. Ben can be a nuisance, but he is also quick to hug and show affection, and here he is shown in the context of a lovely and supportive family. The author provides an afterword by his own 13-year-old nephew, who discusses living with his brother. The title concludes with tips for living with a disabled sibling and a Web site support group for siblings. The watercolor illustrations are merely competent, but have an awkward charm, especially when focusing on the faces of Ben and Chad appearing joyful, sulky, angry, or fearful. A useful title for discussion with general as well as special populations. (Fiction. 7-9)
Pub Date: April 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-8075-0635-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Whitman
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2001
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An enjoyable, endearing collection.
A young girl learns that she doesn’t have to be big to make a difference.
Tola lives in Lagos, Nigeria, with her siblings—sister Moji and brother Dapo, who call her “Too Small Tola” because she is the smallest—under the care of their grandmother. Each of the three short chapters tells of Tola’s adventures while immersing readers in Lagos daily life. In Tola’s first adventure, Grandmommy chooses Tola to take shopping, causing Tola to panic as she worries she won’t be able to carry their purchases. After collecting everything from Grandmommy’s seemingly never-ending list, they make their way home, taking plenty of breaks that leave Tola’s siblings jealous. For her second adventure, she must collect water from the well near their building and then make it to school on time, but she must conquer a mean, older kid first. Tola’s final adventure occurs during a time of celebrations when Eid falls at the same time as Easter. Readers follow along as Tola takes on the challenge of measuring clients for Mr. Abdul—a tailor who lives in Tola’s building—after he breaks his leg. This collection of stories is perfect for transitioning readers, with its manageable chapters, clear, plain language, simple sentence structures, wry sense of humor, and realistic illustrations of the diverse Nigerian cast. While some elements may be unfamiliar to readers outside Tola’s culture, readers will find anchors in Tola’s relationships.
An enjoyable, endearing collection. (Fiction. 7-9)Pub Date: March 2, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5362-1127-6
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Earwig, as a spunky as any Jones heroine, keeps young and old readers chuckling through sadness at an era's end
A cunning heroine learns magic in Jones' last, posthumous offering.
Most children hate orphanages, but Earwig—Erica Wigg, according to her birth certificate—loves hers. Earwig manages people to perfection, and everyone at Saint Morwald's Home for Children does exactly what Earwig wants, whether it's making her a shepherd's pie or buying her a new red sweater. She's excellent at making herself unlovable to potential foster parents so they'll leave her alone in sunny St. Morwald's. But a terrible new pair of prospective parents arrives at the home: nasty-faced Bella Yaga and the Mandrake, a ridiculously tall man who seems to have horns. Bella Yaga and the Mandrake cart Earwig off, willy-nilly, to powder rats' bones and cook breakfast. Indomitable Earwig determines that if she must work for a smelly witch, at least she'll learn magic. But how to do so when wicked Bella Yaga keeps threatening to give her worms? Moreover, no matter what, Earwig has been warned not to disturb the Mandrake, who trucks with demons. Earwig, illustrated with marvelous vitality by Zelinsky, is not to be trifled with. There's just the right level of grotesquerie and scariness (worms that are "blue and purple and very wriggly") in this utterly charming chapter book.
Earwig, as a spunky as any Jones heroine, keeps young and old readers chuckling through sadness at an era's end . (Fantasy. 7-9)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-06-207511-6
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 1, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2011
BOOK TO SCREEN
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