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CHASKA AND THE GOLDEN DOLL

Name: CHASKA AND THE GOLDEN DOLL
Author: Ellen Alexander
ISBN: 1-55970-241-9

by Ellen Alexander & illustrated by Ellen Alexander ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1994

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The true story of how one Andean village was able to fund a school. Chaska loves to listen to Grandfather's tales, especially one about Papa Inti, whose sweat fell to earth as drops of gold resembling kernels of maize. The old man describes how the Incas made splendid artifacts of this gold, including idols honoring Papa Inti, and how strangers long ago stole most of them. When Chaska actually finds an idol among ancient Inca ruins, village law decrees that she may keep or use it as she wishes. Realizing that what she wants most is schooling, she decides to part with the doll, which is sold to a nearby museum to provide money for the local school. Alexander, author of Llama and the Great Flood (1989), is familiar with Chaska's village. Her appealing narrative is nicely complemented by sympathetic, carefully observed drawings enhanced with watercolors; Papa Inti is the sun itself. A likable, useful contribution. (Nonfiction/Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: May 1, 1994

ISBN: 1-55970-241-9

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Arcade

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1994

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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A DOG NAMED SAM

by Janice Boland & illustrated by G. Brian Karas ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1996

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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BERRY MAGIC

by Teri Sloat & Betty Huffman & illustrated by Teri Sloat ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2004

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Sloat collaborates with Huffman, a Yu’pik storyteller, to infuse a traditional “origins” tale with the joy of creating. Hearing the old women of her village grumble that they have only tasteless crowberries for the fall feast’s akutaq—described as “Eskimo ice cream,” though the recipe at the end includes mixing in shredded fish and lard—young Anana carefully fashions three dolls, then sings and dances them to life. Away they bound, to cover the hills with cranberries, blueberries, and salmonberries. Sloat dresses her smiling figures in mixes of furs and brightly patterned garb, and sends them tumbling exuberantly through grassy tundra scenes as wildlife large and small gathers to look on. Despite obtrusively inserted pronunciations for Yu’pik words in the text, young readers will be captivated by the action, and by Anana’s infectious delight. (Picture book/folktale. 6-8)