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SMOKE FROM CROMWELL'S TIME

Name: SMOKE FROM CROMWELL'S TIME
Author: Joan Aiken

by Joan Aiken ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 7, 1970

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Like Joan Aiken's last, less mature collection, A Necklace of Raindrops (1969, p. 631, J-253), these stories have some intriguing elements but they tend to lose focus or stop short at the end. The book is something of a magical mystery tour as some supernatural intervention is in every plot: metamorphoses (princess to parrot, girl to pig), weathermongering, odd interactions between man and beast, wishes realized and prophecies fulfilled. "The River Boy," the best of the fourteen (and which, incidentally, has magic only peripherally), is a hair-raising adventure: an outcast youngster, trying to detour a herd of bulls away from his retreat, manipulates the lead bull and then a hungry puma as well. Another deals with the mishaps of a girl whose birthday wishes from an absent aunt are variously disarming (a new friend every day, flowers wherever she goes). In "A Pinch of Weather" some gamblers want the local weather witch to provide a little rain for a sloppy-track horse and in another a lobster and a horse go off for a day in the big city. Many of the incidents are zany and imaginative, others are almost silly, and although the supply of eccentrics is substantial, the resolutions to the stories are often disappointing.

Pub Date: Aug. 7, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: April 12, 2012

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1970

- BOOK REVIEW
THE SERIAL GARDEN
by Joan Aiken

- BOOK REVIEW
THE WOODEN DRAGON
by Joan Aiken & illustrated by Bee Willey

- BOOK REVIEW
THE WITCH OF CLATTERINGSHAWS
by Joan Aiken

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HOW TO CATCH A REINDEER

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 4, 2022

These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience.

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The How to Catch A… crew try for Comet.

Having already failed to nab a Halloween witch, the Easter Bunny, a turkey, a leprechaun, the Tooth Fairy, and over a dozen other iconic trophies in previous episodes of this bestselling series, one would think the racially diverse gaggle of children in Elkerton’s moonlit, wintry scenes would be flagging…but no, here they lay out snares ranging from a loop of garland to an igloo baited with reindeer moss to an enticing candy cane maze, all in hopes of snagging one of Santa’s reindeer while he’s busy delivering presents. Infused with pop culture–based Christmas cheer (“Now I’ve already seen the shelf with the elf”), Comet prances past the traps until it’s time to gather up the kids, most of whom look terrified, for a group snapshot with the other reindeer and then climb back into harness: “This was a great stop but a few million to go / Christmas Eve must continue with style!” Though festive, the verse feels trite and unlikely to entice youngsters. A sprinkling of “True Facts About Reindeer” (“They live in the tundra, where they have friends like the arctic bunny”) wrap up this celebration of the predatory spirit. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience. (Picture book. 5-7)

Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022

ISBN: 9781728276137

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland

Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S ACTION & ADVENTURE FICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
HOW TO CATCH BIGFOOT
by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton

- BOOK REVIEW
HOW TO CATCH AN INVISIBLE BAD GUY
by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton

- BOOK REVIEW
HOW TO CATCH A GROUNDHOG
by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Emma Gillette & Andy Elkerton

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HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!

by Dr. Seuss ; illustrated by Dr. Seuss ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 12, 1957

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Another Seuss-chimera joins the ranks of the unforgettable Herlar and with the advent of the Grinch— a sort of Yule Ghoul who lives in a cave just north of who-ville. While all the Who's made ready on Christmas Eve the Grinch donned a Santa-Claus disguise. In gurgling verse at a galloping gait, we learn how the Grinch stole the "presents, the ribbons, the wrappings, the tags, the tinsel and trappings," from all the Who's. But the Grinch's heart (two sizes too small) melted just in time when he realized that the Who's enjoyed Christmas without any externals. Youngsters will be in transports over the goofy gaiety of Dr. Seuss's first book about a villain — easily the best Christmas-cad since Scrooge. Inimitable Seuss illustrations of the Grinch's dog Max disguised as a reindeer are in black and white with touches of red. Irrepressible and irresistible.