An art historian who's created picture books on several cultures (The Winged Cat, 1992) explores the Maori custom of sticking out the tongue in a way that's considered beautiful, especially during the haka dance. Sisters Kiri and Maraweia must learn to do this to earn a moko (chin tattoo), but Maraweia keeps making silly faces. Grandmother warns that she'll meet the fate of Mudfish and Lizard, who ``wiggled their tongues in a very ugly way'' and were entrapped as wood figures on Punga's lodge. Sure enough, Maraweia is so caught; but Kiri confronts the goddess and persuades her to free her so that, together, they can show her the haka as it should be danced—and, magically, their tattoos appear. A note and glossary place the invented tale somewhat in context, but more precise details about the role of Maori tradition would have been welcome. Still, the meaning the Maori attach to this classic gesture will intrigue; while Lattimore's art—with its vibrant, humorous characters, detailed Maori carvings, and dozens of other faces and species to spy in a freely rendered, lush green setting—is, once again, the book's strength. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1993
ISBN: 0-15-292862-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1993
A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift.
A paean to teachers and their surrogates everywhere.
This gentle ode to a teacher’s skill at inspiring, encouraging, and being a role model is spoken, presumably, from a child’s viewpoint. However, the voice could equally be that of an adult, because who can’t look back upon teachers or other early mentors who gave of themselves and offered their pupils so much? Indeed, some of the self-aware, self-assured expressions herein seem perhaps more realistic as uttered from one who’s already grown. Alternatively, readers won’t fail to note that this small book, illustrated with gentle soy-ink drawings and featuring an adult-child bear duo engaged in various sedentary and lively pursuits, could just as easily be about human parent- (or grandparent-) child pairs: some of the softly colored illustrations depict scenarios that are more likely to occur within a home and/or other family-oriented setting. Makes sense: aren’t parents and other close family members children’s first teachers? This duality suggests that the book might be best shared one-on-one between a nostalgic adult and a child who’s developed some self-confidence, having learned a thing or two from a parent, grandparent, older relative, or classroom instructor.
A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-943200-08-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Compendium
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
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
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