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LOOKING OUT FOR SARAH

Name: LOOKING OUT FOR SARAH
Author: Glenna Lang
ISBN: 0-88106-647-8

by Glenna Lang & illustrated by Glenna Lang ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2001

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Going to the post office, shopping for groceries, and taking the train might not seem like difficult tasks—unless you’re blind. Lang tells the story of Sarah Gregory Smith and her amazing guide dog, a Labrador named Perry. Told through his eyes, it follows them as they go through the events of their day, running errands, playing in the park, and visiting a school. It is not until Perry dreams that he reveals what has set them apart from many other guide dogs and their masters. It seems that Perry and Sarah walked 300 miles from Boston to New York, following country paths and small town sidewalks lined with crowds of cheering people and television cameras. Simple gouache paintings featuring large blocks of unbroken and unvaried color dominate each page. This layout forces the text to the bottom of every page, adding to the static feeling inspired by the rather stiffly posed paintings. The tale of Perry and his master is inspirational, but unfortunately, the rather bland illustrations do not do it justice. Young readers will be interested to read about the life of a guide dog from his own perspective, but they might not make it through the end of this ho-hum title. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2001

ISBN: 0-88106-647-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Charlesbridge

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2001

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
GENIUS OF COMMON SENSE
by Glenna Lang & Marjory Wunsch & illustrated by Glenna Lang & Marjory Wunsch

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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)