The Polish Jewish writer and educator Janusz Korczak was best known for his medical career and the orphanage he developed and directed under a progressive educational philosophy harboring children’s rights. Focused on the importance of childhood, Korczak was at the height of his much-respected career, with a radio show and published articles and books for both adults and children, when the Nazis invaded Poland and displaced the Jews to the Warsaw ghetto. Ever cognizant of the children’s well-being and fears, Korczak stayed with them, accompanying them to certain death in Treblinka, even when an officer, who valued the author’s children’s stories, offered to save just him. The brown-and-gray toned, often crude and graceless acrylics portray scenes of Korczak’s life and surroundings as outlined in the sometimes undemonstrative, stilted yet easy-to-read text. A lackluster rendering when compared with David Adler’s A Hero and the Holocaust, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth (2002). (afterword, chronology, bibliography) (Biography. 7-10)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-1-58013-255-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Kar-Ben
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2007
In the First Facts series, a look at life in ancient Rome, presented in double-page spreads, each of which is centered on one fact, such as ``Rich Romans Ate Flamingos and Peacocks'' and ``Many Roman Soldiers Couldn't Speak Latin.'' Each spread contains a few paragraphs of information, numerous small captioned pictures, and a box of additional facts. The approach is somewhat scattershot: While each page is loaded with interesting details, they are only loosely related. Further, the pictures are often small for the amount of information they are intended to convey; perhaps because the spreads are crowded, it is sometimes hard to locate the appropriate caption for the picture (and at least in one case, two captions are switched). Finally, it's something of a misrepresentation to state baldly that ``conquered peoples resented Roman rule.'' Macdonald (A Samurai Castle, 1995, etc.) offers much to intrigue readers, but they will have to work harder to extract the facts than they would in other, better designed books on the subject. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 7-10)
Pub Date: Jan. 15, 1997
ISBN: 0-87226-496-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
First published in 1968 and newly illustrated by Vitale, this is a history of the Christian celebration of Easter that, after briefly recounting the story of the Resurrection, links the holiday to other spring festivals, covers the ancient custom of giving the gift of an egg (a symbol of the new life of spring), and includes contemporary customs, such as the fashionable stroll down New York City's Fifth Avenue after church on that day. Also included are instructions for egg decoration and a recipe for hot cross buns. Even the recipe demonstrates the clear, informative prose of Fisher, whose expert organization leads from topic to topic. Vitale's illustrations are a marvel; each full-page picture is filled with details that reflect the times, the flora, and the culture of the era shown, colored with a range of appropriate earth tones. Every element of design makes this an inviting addition to the holiday shelf, even for those already owning the original book with Ati Forberg's illustrations. (Picture book/nonfiction. 7-10)
Pub Date: Feb. 28, 1997
ISBN: 0-06-027296-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 1996
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