Oliver illustrates scattershot mentions of fish deities and merfolk sightings worldwide—plus some proven hoaxes—with dark-lined, hand-colored linocuts enhanced by the occasional shell, fishhook, or bit of netting. She closes with five short, retold folktales, four of which come from Pacific or Indian traditions. Though several of the images are of lissome (discreetly posed) fish-ladies, overall the sea dwellers here have a distinctly unhuman look that may broaden the outlooks of younger viewers with Disneyfied expectations, and perhaps lead them on to the more comprehensive likes of Shirley Climo’s Treasury of Mermaids (1997). (source notes) (Picture book/nonfiction. 7-9)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2005
ISBN: 0-399-24288-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2004
Three Princes (1994). (Picture book/folkore. 5-9)
Broadly echoing the story of Adam and Eve, Kimmel retells the Aztec legend of Ixcocauqui, son of the sun god, and
Coyolxauhqui, daughter of the goddess of the moon. Temptation has prompted Ixcocauqui to disobey his father's command never to leave the precincts of the jade palace. During his foray beyond the walls, he meets Coyolxauhqui and they fall helplessly in love. Ixcocauqui admits his trespass to his father, who, while mightily displeased, consents to their wedding—as long as they vow never to visit the Earth below, on pain of death. Not surprisingly, the Earth proves too seductive and the two of them are caught and turned into mortals, and Coyolxauhqui dies young. They do remain inseparable, the Aztec story goes, and can be seen today as twin mountains in the Valley of Mexico. No punches pulled here: the workings of fate lay heavily on the page, and the consequences attending defiance are neither small nor laughing matters, visiting Ixcocauqui and Coyolxauhqui with speedy doom. Adding to the air of otherworldliness, Fisher's shimmering artwork gives the gods an elusive, incorporeal quality. Distinguished storytelling by the team that produced The
Three Princes (1994). (Picture book/folkore. 5-9)Pub Date: March 15, 2000
ISBN: 0-8234-1504-X
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2000
(author’s note, pronunciation guide, musical score) (Picture book/folktale. 5-9)
Adding a touch of magic, Mollel (My Rows and Piles of Coins, 1999, etc.) retells a traditional Tanzanian folktale about
the costs and pleasures of taming a wild-child younger brother. Saport's (All the Pretty Little Horses, 1999, etc.) pastels are so rich with deep blues, russets, golds, and ambers that they belie their name. Her illustrations flow across the spreads, masterfully supporting the story while adding mood and characterization. After Mother's death, Father takes a job that demands long hours. He assigns the care of Maulidi to older sister Tatu. Tatu has her hands full, and the only way she can handle Maulidi at first is with orders backed up by wrestling him to the ground when he disobeys, as he always does. Father is too weary to take immediate action, so Tatu seeks the aid of MaMzuka, a mysterious spirit woman who lives in the forest and responds only to song. MaMzuka hears Tatu's song, but her advice to pluck three whiskers from the lion and bring them to her terrifies the girl. Seemingly spellbound by Tatu's song that night, the lion requires more enchanting, which Tatu provides on the following night. When Tatu brings the whiskers to MaMzuka, the spirit woman discards them. "To change your brother, just remember how you got the whiskers," the spirit woman advises, and so fighting gives way successfully to patience, love, and song. A subtle message, which avoids didacticism through the simplicity of its language and the power of its illustrations.
(author’s note, pronunciation guide, musical score) (Picture book/folktale. 5-9)Pub Date: Jan. 17, 2000
ISBN: 0-395-91809-X
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2000
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