Having found an audience—an adult one, at least—for Cinderella: An Art Deco Love Story (2001), the Roberts sibs put a differently styled, but equally stylish twist on another folktale romance. Every day while her evil Aunt Esme is off being the Lunch Lady from hell, young Rapunzel stays locked in a top-floor apartment, listening to Bowie and Blondie LPs by a lava lamp’s light. Until, that is, Roger, lead guitarist in a high-school band, spots Aunt Esme leaving for work down Rapunzel’s long red braid. The illustrator outfits the young folk in bell bottoms and platform shoes, filling out the backdrops with period posters and other details. The author follows the original plotline, at least in general, but eases up on the end, so that Roger just suffers temporary amnesia rather than being blinded by his long fall, and after the lovers are reunited at a rock concert, Rapunzel becomes an accomplished designer of (red) wigs. Those under 30 may miss many of the cultural references, but even in this fractured form it’s good to see the classic tale stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive. (illustrator’s note) (Picture book/folktale. 8-10, adult)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2003
ISBN: 0-8109-4242-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2003
BOOK REVIEW
For shark fanciers, a look at a Los Angeles Natural History Museum exhibit, Sharks: Fact and Fantasy. Now touring the country, it includes models of large and small sharks, many of them swimming in simulated undersea settings. The text follows a group of young museum-goers as they examine shark teeth, fossil sharks, sharks in art, and a living shark embryo; shark anatomy, special adaptations, types of sharks, and some shark facts are also included. Photos are clear, colorful and engaging. Not comprehensive, but an attractive added purchase. Pronunciation guide; additional reading; index. (Nonfiction. 8-10)
Pub Date: Sept. 23, 1991
ISBN: 0-395-57560-5
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1991
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Brief answers to 100 questions children asked the editors of Owl magazine, but not everything dinosaur lovers would like to know. Questions vary from intriguing (``Why did huge dinosaurs lay such small eggs?'') to silly (``Were baby dinosaurs cute?''). Some responses don't really answer the question: ``How big was T-rex?'' ``T-rex was so long that it could bite the diving board in most backyard pools while hanging on to the wall at the shallow end with its tail.'' Format is fussy, with three columns of text, photos of fossils, and drawings that vary from authentic to annoyingly rubberized or cute. Some, reproduced from museum murals, are too reduced in size to be useful. Brief ``dinosaur quiz,'' with answers in the back; glossary; index. Adequate where demand is insatiable. (Nonfiction. 8-10)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1992
ISBN: 0-316-67736-1
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
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