Using the appealing cast of stuffed animals that she introduced in Old Bear (1986) author/illustrator Hissey creates a sweet, old-fashioned tale about a little dog who finds a home. When Old Bear and the others hear a strange barking noise coming from the garden, they discover a little dog who has neither name nor home. The poor thing has never even had a birthday. So Old Bear and his pals set about righting the wrongs, giving the little stranger- -now called Ruff—a birthday party every day for a week to make up for all the birthdays he never had. The parties are such fun, and his new friends so nice, that Ruff hates to see the week come to an end. But to his surprise, the animals open their paws and hearts, and Ruff has a home at last. Ruff's adventures are rendered in Hissey's distinctive style, which uses a vivid palette and carefully delineated drawings to illustrate the toys and settings of some idyllic time before the onslaught of plastic, glitter, and electronic voices transformed kids' toys—and lives—forever. An engaging, warmhearted tale in which the delicious, nostalgic illustrations are the chief delight. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1994
ISBN: 0-679-86042-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1994
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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