Calvin, a fairly ordinary boy, spends his afternoons among a cast of determined eccentrics. Ms. Eva, a jazz dancer, takes care of him after school, along with his brother, Monk, a precocious budding 7-year-old poet who acts like a little old man and carries bookishness to an extreme, and neighbor Jenny, who is practicing to become a magician. Calvin is lonely and longs for a pet, which his parents won't permit. The closest he comes to having a pet is when Jenny gets a hamster, Pizzazz, for her magic act. Quattlebaum (Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns, 1994) has written an enjoyable book that is populated with likable characters who are devoted to artistic and intellectual pursuits—a notable accomplishment. Young readers, however, may be frustrated by the way Calvin is treated by his parents. He is almost obsessively responsible, yet they dismiss him as irresponsible; they repeatedly punish him when he successfully acts for the benefit of others. This unfairness is neither noted directly by the author nor resolved, marring an otherwise lighthearted work. (b&w illustrations, not seen) (Fiction. 6-10)
Pub Date: March 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-385-32183-X
Page Count: 121
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 1995
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
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
