Jane Yolen's reflections on children's books offer no stimulating insights but they are serious, which puts this far ahead of The Writer's previous publication on the subject, Phyllis A. Whitney's Writing Juvenile Fiction (rev. 1960). As usual with this sort of advice manual her admonitions on what not to do are sounder and more specific than are any positive suggestions on how to do it — on realistic fiction, for example, she cautions reasonably against writing "to lead the young innocents away from evils" but the recommended alternative — "simply telling a story" — isn't much help. (Nor is it consistent with her rationale for the genre: "Wouldn't we rather have the children read about these subjects in a well-written novel than learn them in the gutter?") However, there is much practical material here of the sort that would-be writers dote on — from the important directive for writers at the youngest leve to "picture the picture book" (moving along for 32 pages) through more mechanical matter such as the idea file and portable notebook to the much-demanded particulars of marketing, contracts, revisions, etc., which Yolen knows from both the author's and editor's sides of the desk.
Pub Date: Nov. 15, 1983
ISBN: 0871161338
Page Count: 164
Publisher: The Writer, Inc.
Review Posted Online: May 12, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1973
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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