A sweet little nugget of a story
Lasley brings to life a gold rush story from his home state of Alaska in this charming debut picture book.
Lasley bucks expectations for a historical fiction narrative by presenting the story of the prospector Felice “Pedro” Pedroni, an Italian immigrant to Alaska, through the perspective of his trusty gold pan: “Pan for short.” The upbeat narrative somewhat downplays the difficulties of life as a gold prospector in the early 20th century. From braving the harsh elements to always being on the lookout for wild animals, Pan is game for any adventures Pedro brings him on. Above all, Pan takes his work looking for gold very seriously and shares his owner’s disappointment when their day’s work proves fruitless. Though the story is humorous and the protagonist playful, there is some meaty geology and history to be mined within, including information on iron pyrite (aka fool’s gold: “Drat!”) and how to pan for gold. Souva’s illustrations employ geometric shapes and a muted palette, investing Pan with appealing personality via eyebrows, eyes, and mouth. Backmatter expands upon the story for readers curious to know more. While the book is sure to appeal to educators, especially those teaching about the various gold rushes in western American history, the amusing adventures of Pan and Pedro hold broad appeal for read-alouds with many and varied audiences beyond the classroom.
A sweet little nugget of a story . (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Feb. 19, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5132-6187-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Alaska Northwest Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 25, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2018
A tempting invitation to turn any walk into an equally fruitful ramble, even if the treasures are gathered only by eye...
Family strolls down Rambling Road in every season turn into treasure hunts for 5-year-old Wendy.
And what treasures she finds! As other family members simply point out animals, a plane passing overhead and other sights (Abe the toddler is big on colors), everything else—from a wagon wheel to a broken kite, from loose letters and numbers to a pencil that works and a clock that doesn’t—goes in her collecting bag. The trash and litter are scrupulously brought to the dump, but what will she do with all the rest? When winter snows bring a (temporary) stop to outdoor walks, she assembles a “Rambling Road” in her room, inviting her appreciative clan in for a visit. Muted colors and smiling, softly rounded figures add cozy notes to Brooker’s paint-and–photo-collage illustrations. Viewers who linger over each scene will be rewarded with small birds, flowers and other background details, plus all sorts of enticing found objects.
A tempting invitation to turn any walk into an equally fruitful ramble, even if the treasures are gathered only by eye rather than by hand. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: April 23, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4778-1648-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Amazon Children's Publishing
Review Posted Online: Feb. 26, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2013
A toy rabbit has an unexpected forest adventure. Little girl Ruby is scared of the woods, but Daddy reassures her that he'll keep her safe. Snugly bundled up and with stuffed bunny Rabby riding in her hood, Ruby goes through the gate to the woods, all golden leaves, with Daddy. Ruby is frightened when she sees a fox chasing rabbits, but Daddy explains that foxes need to catch rabbits for food. Ruby and Daddy are so busy talking that they don't see that Rabby has been snagged out of the hood and dangles from a branch. Before long, Foxy is after the toy (who wears a hooded coat that matches Ruby's), but, when he catches up to Rabby, something surprising happens. Coplestone’s lovely double-page watercolor spreads provide a wordless subtext in which Foxy and Rabby’s interaction is overdubbed by Daddy and Ruby's oblivious conversation, to sweetly humorous effect. Jones's book begins as a traditional "message" story but delights with a fantasy twist and a subtler bit of wisdom. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-84507-956-7
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Review Posted Online: Nov. 1, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2010
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