An Australian desert, unchanged for thousands of years, undergoes a transformation that powerfully evokes the interrelationship of all things. Rosy dock, a plant from North Africa or western Asia brought in by settlers, is first planted in a neatly fenced garden in front of a tin shack. Swept up in a dust storm (along with a straw hat), the red seeds are blown across the sun-baked landscape and bloom in hidden desert oases. A storm floods a dry river bed; as the waters rise, a lizard clings to the steamer truck that once sat outside the tin shack. The trunk ends up half-submerged in the ground as the desert blooms into a breathtaking life—a carpet of flowers that subsequently includes the newcomer rosy dock—before turning back to sand and bleached bones. Baker's riveting collages dazzle the eyes and reward close examination; a note at the end reveals how the introduction of nonnative plants and animals into a landscape always has consequences, whether a pleasure or pox. (Picture book/nonfiction. 4-8)
Pub Date: April 1, 1995
ISBN: 0-688-11491-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1995
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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