It's hard to explain the charm of Latimer's stories about Moose (this is the third collection). Is it the sweet, impeccable logic brought to such scenes as Cardinal teaching Moose to whistle, a skill he passes on to his valentine Skunk (`` `Flute your tongue,' '' he says)? Or the gentle satire, like the reaction to Fox's book of untested recipes (``I tried them in my mind,'' Fox alleges). It may also have to do, say, with the rueful philosophy informing the animals' patience with a rogue Barbary sheep who invades their territory—``A calm song on the trombone will not change her,'' Muskrat admits, and yet, ``it might.'' Whatever the reason, this ingenuous, peculiarly American whimsy—with Ewing's affectionate watercolor characterizations as the perfect complement—continues to delight. (Young reader. 6- 10)
Pub Date: Sept. 30, 1993
ISBN: 0-684-19335-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scribner
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1993
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
At ``Step 2'' in the useful ``Step into Reading'' series: an admirably clear, well-balanced presentation that centers on wolves' habits and pack structure. Milton also addresses their endangered status, as well as their place in fantasy, folklore, and the popular imagination. Attractive realistic watercolors on almost every page. Top-notch: concise, but remarkably extensive in its coverage. A real bargain. (Nonfiction/Easy reader. 6-10)
Pub Date: April 1, 1992
ISBN: 0-679-91052-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
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