Deputy Jess and her aunt Gussy have been left in charge of Snake Gulch by Jess’s father, the Sheriff. Usually that would be no problem because there’s no quieter town on the frontier. On this day, however, a cattle drive comes to town, and the cowpokes smell worse than their cows. Jess and Gussy explain the no-stink law, but the cowboys would rather spend their five cents on candy and root beer than a bath. Jess and Gussy haul them in, but a stink cloud gathers and threatens the town. Jess’s ingenuity cleans up Snake Gulch. Smith applies the same gentle, wry humor she used in the Wizard and Wart books to the Wild West to good effect. Thiesing’s cartoon, watercolor-and-pencil puppy people are a perfect match. Pair this with Amy Timberlake’s Dirty Cowboy (2003) to satisfy any grimy little cowpoke. Young readers will be seeking sequels. (Easy reader. 4-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-8037-2641-4
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2004
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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