by Deborah Bodin Cohen & illustrated by Jago ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2009
“Brave Nachshon,” afraid only of swimming, and his family have been slaves in Egypt for generations. Then Moses speaks of freedom, a dream Nachshon has had all his life. At the “Sea of Reeds,” which sits between the advancing Egyptians and escape, Nachshon is the first to step in, emboldened by the great man’s words of encouragement. It is when he is almost completely submerged that the sea parts and Moses leads his people across. This is a stirring tale of courage and faith, and it reads aloud well. An author’s note provides background for the tale, from brief references to Nachshon from the Torah to a more fully developed story from the Midrash. Jago’s stylized art supplies his characters with Egyptian profiles atop slender bodies; the predominant oranges, yellows and browns, then blues and greens, befit the desert and watery settings, respectively. Knowledgeable readers will miss a recounting of all the plagues visited on the Egyptians as well as the miracle of the waters washing over them. Still, a good addition to the holiday canon. (Picture book/religion. 6-9)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8225-8764-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kar-Ben
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2009
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by Kerry Olitzky & Deborah Bodin Cohen ; illustrated by Mariia Kolker
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by Deborah Bodin Cohen ; illustrated by Yael Kimhi Orrelle
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by Deborah Bodin Cohen ; illustrated by Shahar Kober
by Teresa Bateman & illustrated by Jeff Shelly ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2001
The leaves have changed, Thanksgiving nears—and the canny turkeys of Squawk Valley have decamped, leaving local residents to face the prospect of a birdless holiday. What to do? They decide to lure a bird back by appealing to its vanity, placing a want ad for a model to help sculptors creating turkey art, then “inviting” the bird to dinner. The ploy works, too, for out of the woods struts plump and perky Pete to take on the job. Shelly debuts with brightly hued cartoon scenes featuring pop-eyed country folk and deceptively silly-looking gobblers. Pete may be vain, but he hasn’t lost the wiliness of his wild ancestors; when the townsfolk come for him, he hides amidst a flock of sculpted gobblers—“There were turkeys made of spuds, / there were turkeys made of rope. / There were turkeys made of paper, / there were turkeys made of soap. / The room was full of turkeys / in a wall to wall collage. / For a clever bird like Pete / it was perfect camouflage.” He makes his escape, and is last seen lounging on a turkey-filled tropical beach as the disappointed Squawk Valleyites gather round the table for a main course of . . . shredded wheat. Good for a few giggles. (Picture book. 6-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2001
ISBN: 1-890817-91-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2001
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More by Teresa Bateman
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by Teresa Bateman ; illustrated by Jannie Ho
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by Teresa Bateman ; illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
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by Teresa Bateman ; illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman
by Marie Charlotte Craft & illustrated by Kinuko Y. Craft ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1996
Craft's first book is a retelling of the famous story of Psyche, who is so beautiful that Venus, the goddess of beauty, is jealous. She sends her son, Cupid, to punish the mortal, but he falls in love with her. When Psyche fails to trust that love, she must perform seemingly impossible tasks to win Cupid back. The text flows smoothly and retains a touch of formality, giving the story a suitably ancient resonance. The radiant oil- over-watercolor paintings are exquisitely detailed, filled with intricacies that reward long and careful scrutiny. The design of the book is meticulous, from an unusual, yet readable, typeface to the ornate borders, some of which resemble gold jewelry more than paintings. (Picture book/folklore. 6-8)
Pub Date: June 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-688-13163-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1996
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