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THE MAN WHO WAS TOO LAZY TO FIX THINGS

Name: THE MAN WHO WAS TOO LAZY TO FIX THINGS
Author: Phyllis Krasilovsky
ISBN: 0-688-10394-4

by Phyllis Krasilovsky & illustrated by John Emil Cymerman ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 28, 1992

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The author of an old favorite, The Man Who Didn't Wash His Dishes (1950), comes up with a fable about a man who doesn't bother to maintain his fine new house. Actually, he's not so much lazy as inept, while his efforts at repair are just dumb (Band- Aids to mend a chair) and some of the details aren't apt (cats don't usually mar doors trying to get in). In the end, his brother's family arrives and puts everything to rights—but the man, it's implied, hasn't learned a thing. It's a promising idea; unfortunately, it hasn't been developed with enough logic or humor to make a satisfying story. Meanwhile, Cymerman makes a respectable picture book debut with pen-and-watercolor art that somewhat augments the humor, depicting ``the man'' as an amusingly heavy-eyed incompetent. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: April 28, 1992

ISBN: 0-688-10394-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1992

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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A DOG NAMED SAM

by Janice Boland & illustrated by G. Brian Karas ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1996

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A book that will make young dog-owners smile in recognition and confirm dogless readers' worst suspicions about the mayhem caused by pets, even winsome ones. Sam, who bears passing resemblance to an affable golden retriever, is praised for fetching the family newspaper, and goes on to fetch every other newspaper on the block. In the next story, only the children love Sam's swimming; he is yelled at by lifeguards and fishermen alike when he splashes through every watering hole he can find. Finally, there is woe to the entire family when Sam is bored and lonely for one long night. Boland has an essential message, captured in both both story and illustrations of this Easy-to-Read: Kids and dogs belong together, especially when it's a fun-loving canine like Sam. An appealing tale. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: April 1, 1996

ISBN: 0-8037-1530-7

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Dial Books

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1996

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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BERRY MAGIC

by Teri Sloat & Betty Huffman & illustrated by Teri Sloat ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2004

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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)