Masterworks Of Latin American Short Fiction ($25.00; Oct. 1996; 400 pp.; 0-06-431502-9): A wonderful gathering of eight novellas, prefaced by a lengthy and knowledgeable introduction by Ilan Stavans, including rarely seen fiction from several of the greatest (and most neglected) modern and contemporary Latin American masters. Only Gabriel Garc°a M†rquez's deliciously fantastic ``The Incredible and Sad Tale of Innocent Erendira and Her Heartless Grandmother'' is at all familiar—and readers who appreciate his trademark magical realism will find brilliant variations on it in such memorable tales as Joo Guimares Rosa's ``My Uncle, the Jaguar'' (set in the Brazilian ``backlands'' immortalized in his novels and stories), Julio Cortazar's quicksilver portrayal of a jazz musician seemingly based on the figure of Charlie Parker (``The Pursuer''), and Felisberto Hernandez's ``The Daisy Dolls,'' a gothic surrealist fantasy reminiscent (and very nearly worthy) of Kafka. An invaluable anthology.
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-06-431502-9
Page Count: 400
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1996
In a book that shows one kind of conflict resolution, Hugo, a shy frog with a small croak, learns to be more assertive with the help of a duck. Hugo lives in terror of the big frogs, especially Pop Eyes, a bully who dumps Hugo into the pond upside down, snatches his stick, and splashes him. Duck teaches Hugo to quack loudly when threatened, and the next time the bully frogs come around, Hugo opens his mouth and bellows “QUACK!” The result of this surprising emission is that birds scatter, butterflies flutter, fish flap, and the bully frogs fall into the pond. Church’s art gives the frogs, fish, snails, and worms of this story bright colors and ping-pong-ball eyes, plus the requisite goofy expressions. A funny story, with surprises that will have toddlers giggling. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: Dec. 1, 1999
ISBN: 1-86233-093-X
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sterling
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
Hopping is not hard, for a frog, but when he asks other animals to join him, he finds that bats flap, lobsters snap, and dust flies when an especially large rhinoceros stomps. None of the creatures can do what the frog does so well, until he meets a rabbit, and it becomes a friendship bound by bounding. Vere’s creatures are reminiscent of Sandra Boynton’s: smiling, bright, and lively, unrestrained by this board book’s small dimensions. A hopping good time. (Board book. 1-4)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-531-30131-1
Page Count: 22
Publisher: Orchard
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1999
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