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UP THE TRACKS TO GRANDMA'S

Name: UP THE TRACKS TO GRANDMA'S
Author: Judith Hendershot
ISBN: 0-679-81964-9

by Judith Hendershot & illustrated by Thomas B. Allen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 1993

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From the author and illustrator of In Coal Country (1987, ALA Notable), another look at life in rural America two generations ago. There's a strong whiff of nostalgia here, but it's tempered with bracingly realistic specifics: when the young narrator comes to Grandma's (she literally walks up the rarely used train tracks from town), the two catch a hen for the pot; a black snake snitches eggs in the henhouse; and Grandma gets coal for her own use out of the old mine in her yard. The interest of the quiet story is heightened when Grandma goes away, by train, to care for a daughter with a broken leg and the narrator comes up the tracks every day to tend the hens, winning Grandma's warm thanks when she returns. Allen's soft, rather muted illustrations are simply rendered, yet they effectively convey the affection of these two and the pleasure they share in their surroundings. An agreeable, well-wrought book. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1993

ISBN: 0-679-81964-9

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 1993

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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A DOG NAMED SAM

by Janice Boland & illustrated by G. Brian Karas ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1996

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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BERRY MAGIC

by Teri Sloat & Betty Huffman & illustrated by Teri Sloat ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2004

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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)