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THE ENCHANTED TREE

Name: THE ENCHANTED TREE
Author: Flavia Weedn
ISBN: 0-7868-0120-4

by Flavia Weedn & Lisa Weedn Gilbert & illustrated by Flavia Weedn ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1995

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Delicate illustrations enliven this otherwise heavy-handed work. This entry in a new series called Flavia's Dream Maker Stories concerns the ``pinkest and the tallest giraffe in her entire village,'' who doesn't like being different. She sets off on a journey, hoping to find a way to make herself look like everyone else. One day, she is awakened by a talking, enchanted tree, who has ``watched many come to the forest in search of answers.'' The tree tells wordy stories of an owl who had to wear glasses, and of a turtle who was smaller than others in her village. Like them, the pink giraffe comes to understand the tree's ``message'': Her differences make her special. A noble effort that comes off preachy and predictable. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1995

ISBN: 0-7868-0120-4

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Hyperion

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1995

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)