In this Siberian variation on the evil stepmother story, Anga wants to be a courageous hunter like her father. Anga's father understands. He makes his daughter ``a spear and a small bow and arrow,'' and he begins to teach Anga ``how to talk to all the wild creatures, even the great tiger.'' But Anga's evil stepmother, Unin, does not approve. Telling Anga that hunting is for men only, she makes the girl do chores all day. When her father dies, Anga is at the mercy of Unin, but magical forces of nature rise up to protect Anga and turn Unin into an owl doomed to cry out her own name for all eternity. The gouache-on-watercolor-paper illustrations are embellished with decorative art echoing that of the indigenous people of southeastern Siberia. Be prepared to explain the Bering land bridge, because kids may ask why the Siberians look like Native Americans. A fun fable by the creators of Eagles (p. 392, etc.) and Reindeer (see below). (Folklore/Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 15, 1994
ISBN: 0-8234-1125-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1994
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
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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