An eye-catching, clever take on teaching table manners.
In a charmingly illustrated picture book by debut author Sanders, a young boy must learn proper table etiquette to prepare for his fancy birthday celebration.
Prince, a 6-year-old African-American boy, lives an ordinary life with his parents, brother and a hamster named Popcorn in New Rochelle, N.Y. When his mother reveals his birthday surprise—a trip to Broadway in New York City and a fancy dinner at the New York Hotel—Prince knows he must learn how to behave at an upscale restaurant. But when his mother tries to teach him the rules, he gets distracted, daydreaming “about discovering a new species of lizard and kicking the winning goal at the next soccer game.” Luckily for Prince, Popcorn later coaches him through his table manners in a dream. Sanders’ text then turns into a list of do’s and don’ts, but Ditya’s cartoon illustrations bring out the humor, showing who’s behaving properly by placing a green checkmark over Popcorn’s head and a red X over Prince’s. Prince’s initial reluctance to learn table manners (“His mother always found a way to turn something fun into homework”) may resonate with young readers, who, like him, may not immediately see the importance of knowing the proper order for using forks. But after Popcorn’s clever coaching, kids will likely be rooting for Prince to succeed. Although the text is somewhat long for lap reading, young independent readers will find the vocabulary manageable. It’s refreshing to see a modern African-American family depicted for a picture-book audience—a too-rare occurrence. However, some readers may find one depiction of Popcorn as a stereotyped Native American uncomfortable. The story does make New York City seem magical and glamorous, which even children who live far away from the big city will appreciate. Prince is a charming hero, and Popcorn is an adorable sidekick, and they’ll certainly draw readers back for future episodes in the series.
An eye-catching, clever take on teaching table manners.Pub Date: Nov. 27, 2013
ISBN: 978-0989972406
Page Count: 50
Publisher: Solutions By Prince
Review Posted Online: Feb. 6, 2014
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A short, simple, and sweet tale about two friends and a horse.
A novel tells the story of two spirited girls who set out to save a lame foal in 1952.
Mary, age 12, lacks muscle control of her legs and must use a wheelchair. Her life is constantly interrupted by trips with her widower father to assorted doctors, all of whom have failed to help her. Mary tolerates the treatments, hoping to one day walk unassisted, but her true passion involves horses. Possessing a library filled with horse books, she loves watching and drawing the animals at a neighboring farm. She longs to own one herself. But her father, overprotective due to her disability and his own lingering grief over Mary’s dead mother, makes her keep her distance. Mary befriends Laura, the emotionally neglected daughter of the wealthy neighboring farm owners, and the two share secret buggy rides. Both girls are attracted to Illusion, a beautiful red bay filly on the farm. Mary learns that Illusion is to be put down by a veterinarian because of a lame leg. Horrified, she decides to talk to the barn manager about the horse (“Isn’t it okay for her to live even if she’s not perfect? I think she deserves a chance”). Soon, Mary and Laura attempt to raise money to save Illusion. At the same time, Mary begins to gain control of her legs thanks to water therapy and secret therapeutic riding with Laura. There is indeed a great deal of poignancy in a story of a girl with a disability fighting to defend the intrinsic value of a lame animal. But this book, the first installment of the Dream Horse Adventure Series, would be twice as touching if Mary interacted with Illusion more. In the tale’s opening, she watches the foal from afar, but she actually spends very little time with the filly she tries so hard to protect. This turns out to be a strange development given the degree to which the narrative relies on her devotion. Count (Selah’s Sweet Dream, 2015) draws Mary and Laura in broad but believable strokes, defined mainly by their unrelenting pluckiness in the face of adversity. While the work tackles disability, death, and grief, Mary’s and Laura’s environments are so idyllic and their optimism and perseverance so remarkable that the story retains an aura of uncomplicated gentleness throughout.
A short, simple, and sweet tale about two friends and a horse.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: Hastings Creations Group
Review Posted Online: Oct. 15, 2016
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A nonpreaching testament to the power that comes from knowing and accepting yourself.
A lyrical tale that demonstrates how a voyage of self-discovery can be more important than an outer journey.
The legend of far-off Opal Cavern has long tantalized the humanlike races that inhabit the agrarian land of Tarth: Stallis, who live above ground as we do, and the taller, curly haired, semiaquatic Wassandras, who move between the surface and the golden Wasso Lake that is their home. The villagers and lake dwellers share a belief in a divine intelligence called the Plete and a peaceful, mutually supportive way of life that has them moving in and out of each other’s lives and homes. They come together to send out an expedition in search of the cavern and to take care of those who stay behind. The energetic center of both groups belongs to Curl, a young, headstrong Wassandra, whose heart is set on joining the quest, exploring the world and marrying a Stalli. The ultimate destination, Curl discovers, is within the self, where she confronts physical limitations and her true nature. Every step is slow, methodical and resonant with enormous forethought and care. This third book in the Tarth series has the gentle pace and simplicity of a YA novel, and its sufficient exposition can stand on its own. Despite the journeying framework, Byrd (The Brueggen Stones, 2007) presents not so much an action-packed story as a heart-centered exploration of the complex affections and relationships that link individuals, families, communities and species. Even Tarth’s horses contribute their own knowledge and wisdom to the quest. Compassion, kindness and trust in divine guidance are as organic and matter-of-fact as the physical laws that govern the golden waters of Wasso Lake.
A nonpreaching testament to the power that comes from knowing and accepting yourself.Pub Date: May 3, 2012
ISBN: 978-1602903241
Page Count: 216
Publisher: OakTara
Review Posted Online: July 30, 2012
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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