Lewis and Clark’s famous journey began in 1803. Their objective: to explore the territory west of the Mississippi River and report back to President Thomas Jefferson. With them was Meriwether Lewis’s dog, Seaman, the narrator of this story for young readers. And, it turns out, Seaman is a good storyteller. It really does feel as if a dog is relating the tale, with such canine details as why dogs twitch when they dream and the abundant sensory impressions of a trip through the wilderness. Young readers will find themselves learning a lot of history and will come to think of Seaman as a regular member of the crew. In fact, by the end of the journey, according to the actual journals the men kept, the men too accepted Seaman as part of their outfit: “Captain Lewis’s dog” had become “our dog” by the end of the trek. The dog’s-eye view is well done and refreshing, excerpts from Lewis’s actual journal enliven the text, and Dooling’s beautiful oil paintings seem just right, as full of action, beauty, danger, and majesty as the land they portray. The volume feels like a journal, and the attractive design—with a good map and lots of white space—works well. An afterword offers additional information about the actual dog. Young lovers of history and dog stories will appreciate a volume that provides both. (Fiction. 8-12)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2002
ISBN: 0-8050-6368-4
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 20, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2002
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HISTORICAL FICTION
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A 10-year old girl learns to adjust to a strange town, makes some fascinating friends, and fills the empty space in her heart thanks to a big old stray dog in this lyrical, moving, and enchanting book by a fresh new voice. India Opal’s mama left when she was only three, and her father, “the preacher,” is absorbed in his own loss and in the work of his new ministry at the Open-Arms Baptist Church of Naomi [Florida]. Enter Winn-Dixie, a dog who “looked like a big piece of old brown carpet that had been left out in the rain.” But, this dog had a grin “so big that it made him sneeze.” And, as Opal says, “It’s hard not to immediately fall in love with a dog who has a good sense of humor.” Because of Winn-Dixie, Opal meets Miss Franny Block, an elderly lady whose papa built her a library of her own when she was just a little girl and she’s been the librarian ever since. Then, there’s nearly blind Gloria Dump, who hangs the empty bottle wreckage of her past from the mistake tree in her back yard. And, Otis, oh yes, Otis, whose music charms the gerbils, rabbits, snakes and lizards he’s let out of their cages in the pet store. Brush strokes of magical realism elevate this beyond a simple story of friendship to a well-crafted tale of community and fellowship, of sweetness, sorrow and hope. And, it’s funny, too. A real gem. (Fiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: March 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-7636-0776-2
Page Count: 182
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 20, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2000
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
Utterly believable, this bittersweet story, complete with an author’s note identifying the real Ivan, will inspire a new...
14
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How Ivan confronts his harrowing past yet stays true to his nature exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage.
Living in a "domain" of glass, metal and cement at the Big Top Mall, Ivan sometimes forgets whether to act like a gorilla or a human—except Ivan does not think much of humans. He describes their behavior as frantic, whereas he is a peaceful artist. Fittingly, Ivan narrates his tale in short, image-rich sentences and acute, sometimes humorous, observations that are all the more heartbreaking for their simple delivery. His sorrow is palpable, but he stoically endures the cruelty of humans until Ruby the baby elephant is abused. In a pivotal scene, Ivan finally admits his domain is a cage, and rather than let Ruby live and die in grim circumstances, he promises to save her. In order to express his plea in a painting, Ivan must bravely face buried memories of the lush jungle, his family and their brutal murder, which is recounted in a brief, powerful chapter sure to arouse readers’ passions. In a compelling ending, the more challenging question Applegate poses is whether or not Ivan will remember what it was like to be a gorilla. Spot art captures poignant moments throughout.
Utterly believable, this bittersweet story, complete with an author’s note identifying the real Ivan, will inspire a new generation of advocates. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Jan. 17, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-06-199225-4
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Sept. 28, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2011
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS
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