The creators of Pegasus (1998) and other lyrical renditions of ancient legends give the career of King Arthur’s tiniest knight a sumptuous makeover. Mayer combines elements from several traditional versions to create a comfortably readable narrative. Born to a loving farm couple, Tom is endowed with instant maturity and a magic sword by the Queen of the Little People, and goes on, after being nearly or actually swallowed by various animals, to earn his knighthood by driving a giant away. To the author’s formal, supple prose Craft matches golden-toned, finely detailed borders, historiated initials and full-page scenes, all framed with leafy tendrils and minuscule patterns; though the characters’ dress is medieval, the visual effect is closer to Renaissance manuscript illumination. Capped by a merry party—and a scholarly source note—this makes a dazzling alternative or successor to Richard Jesse Watson’s photorealistic 1989 version of the tale. (Picture book/folktale. 8-10)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2001
ISBN: 1-58717-064-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: SeaStar/North-South
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2001
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The author of Making Animal Babies (p. 556) and other nature titles takes the reader to the rain forest of Costa Rica and describes the plants and animals living there. The text, printed over a solid color panel, is limited to a single column on the edge of each painting. Though long for reading aloud, the descriptions are lively and detailed. For example, “Unlike most other birds, bellbirds and quetzals have big mouths, which allow them to swallow wild avocados whole.” Or, “Squeezing a moss-covered branch is like squeezing a soaked sponge; icy water trickles down your arm.” The dark, lush, richly detailed paintings, which comprise most of each layout, capture the mood of the rain forest, though sometimes it is hard to locate the dozens of plants and animals in each panel, some with labels, but often without. The author occasionally provides scientific names and at other times uses common names. Readers may struggle to find Norantea costaricensis or the Tayra in other sources. Creatures are not drawn to scale so a golden toad in the foreground appears larger than a person in the background. Important details are lost in the gutter, when the painting spans the double page. The author concludes with places to write for more information, a list of Web sites, further reading, a map of the region, and a brief glossary. While the author does not provide enough information on the rain forest for school reports, he captures the flavor of this rich and alien environment. (Nonfiction. 8-10)
Pub Date: July 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-88106-985-X
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2000
A rollicking cross country sprint with their energetic grandmother leads siblings Ruthie and Joe and their friend to a wondrous discovery. Spying Granny Annie racing past, the children abandon their pursuits to join the chase; intrigued by her cryptic refrain—“Can’t be late. Catching something. Something great”—the children speculate as to her goal. Heightening their interest is the fact that each time Granny Annie is about to explain where she is headed, she is interrupted and consequently distracted by a giant sneeze. Alda (Arlene Alda’s 1 2 3, 1998, etc.) gives the tale an upbeat tempo, right to the surprising destination—at land’s end overlooking an ocean sunset—that provides a foil to the chase. The loveliness of the setting sun overcomes the children’s initial disappointment, providing them and readers with a reminder of the joy found in simple things. Aldridge’s watercolors, done in shimmering golden hues, illuminate the beauty of an autumn sunset; she also includes whimsical elements for astute observers. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1999
ISBN: 1-883672-72-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tricycle
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1999
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