Seventeen tales, from the Creation to Jonah, carefully chosen to demonstrate that ``God wants everyone to trust in Him,'' recounted in an easy, colloquial manner and recommended for reading ``with the Bible, and not instead of it.'' Waddell's simplifications are very accessible but not irreverent—God ``took one of Adam's ribs and made Eve from it, so that in an odd way they were one person''; ``It may have seemed simple enough to God who can do anything, but it was a huge job for poor Noah''; or, ```This boasting has got to stop!' Jacob told Joseph. `What kind of a dream is that?''' Problematic stories—Cain killing Abel, Abraham offering to sacrifice Isaac, Jacob cheating Esau or being tricked into marrying Leah, the plagues inflicted on Egypt- -are omitted, together with most of the violence and vengeance. Leaving out Benjamin's special relationship to Joseph weakens their story, but otherwise the selections make an appealingly informal introduction that reinforces Waddell's theme. Patterson's bold and colorful illustrations contribute handsomely to the format; most are in the spirit of the text (though Goliath looks like a good-natured Elizabethan). A lively and attractive rendition that should find many uses. (Nonfiction. 6-10)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1993
ISBN: 0-395-66902-2
Page Count: 70
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1993
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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)
Pub Date: June 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-88240-575-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2004
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
At ``Step 2'' in the useful ``Step into Reading'' series: an admirably clear, well-balanced presentation that centers on wolves' habits and pack structure. Milton also addresses their endangered status, as well as their place in fantasy, folklore, and the popular imagination. Attractive realistic watercolors on almost every page. Top-notch: concise, but remarkably extensive in its coverage. A real bargain. (Nonfiction/Easy reader. 6-10)
Pub Date: April 1, 1992
ISBN: 0-679-91052-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
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