``Slime is anything that is oily, greasy, goopy and gross,'' says Jackson (The Precious Gift, 1996, etc.) before she goes on to describe the function of some slime found in nature: egg white, protecting the yolk; frog eggs attached to plants, warming in the sun; human saliva, facilitating a host of processes (this last discussion—one page of the book—may be why the title is catalogued in 611 with human anatomy). Not content with slime in nature, the author continues with a discussion of ancient Aztec algae slime bread; a page of slime jokes; an activity (making slime in a sealed plastic lunch bag); a recipe for slime pie; and a gross story. Jackson loads her text with short, expressive words: mucky, yucky, squirmy, grimy gunk. The scientific information is interesting but superficial; this is not the definitive text on slime, but a complement to such standards as Vicki Cobb's Gobs of Goo (1983). Apt illustrations—phlegmy fingers dripping goo, snails on a knife edge—complete the intentionally odious presentation. Place this book with its green and black slimy cover face-out and it will simply ooze off the shelves. (bibliography) (Picture book/nonfiction. 6-10)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1997
ISBN: 0-7613-0042-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Millbrook
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1997
Trisha is ready to start at a new school, where no one will know she has dyslexia. At first, she is heartbroken to be in Miss Peterson’s special-ed class, aka, “the junkyard.” But Miss Peterson treats the children as anything but junk, showing them that everyone has a unique talent. Polacco’s trademark style is fully present here; her sensitively drawn alter ego shines with depth of feeling. When bullying occurs, Miss Peterson proves her students are worthwhile by planning a junkyard field trip, where they find valuable objects to be used in exciting ways. Trisha’s group repairs a plane, and the class buys an engine for it. Then a beloved class member dies, and the children must find a way to honor him. While the plot meanders somewhat, the characters are appealing, believable and provide a fine portrayal of a truly special class. Children will be drawn in by the story’s warmth and gentle humor and will leave with a spark of inspiration, an appreciation of individual differences and a firm anti-bullying message, all underscored by the author’s note that concludes the book. (Picture book. 7-10)
Pub Date: July 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-399-25078-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2010
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)
Pub Date: June 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-88240-575-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2004
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