Another trickster tale from McDermott (Raven, 1993, etc.), focusing on Coyote's foolish pride. It's also his curiosity that gets him into trouble in these cartoon-style events: He sets fire to his fur trying to imitate Woodpecker's red head; Snake catches him in his coils; and the flock of crows who give him feathers when he wants to join them arrange it so that he's off balance when he tries to fly. Finally, tired of his boasting, they take their feathers back in midair — and hapless Coyote plummets at a speed that leaves his tail's tip permanently burnt. Coyote "has a nose for trouble. He always finds it." McDermott depicts his incorrigible antihero as turquoise (a symbolic color assigned him by the people of the Pueblo of Zuni) and sets him against a desert glowing with colors ranging from red rock to flame, entrancing the eye with stylized ripples of fur, the snake's decorative skin, and the crows' rhythmic flight formations. The succinct retelling is amusing but, despite a useful introductory note, not sourced. Still, lively, visually splendid, and sure to appeal. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1994
ISBN: 0-15-220724-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 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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