After the death of their widowed mother, Vasalisa is tormented by her jealous older sister; a magic doll bequeathed by her mother offers her only comfort. Sent by her sister to secure fire from Baba Yaga, Vasalisa encounters the horsemen of night and day. Baba Yaga's hut runs on its legs into a river of fire; Vasalisa follows, emerging in the arms of the red horseman. Having passed this test, she enters the hut, serves the witch, gives her the doll, and returns with the required flame to the arms of a repentant sister. Grauer's colored pencil illustrations in luscious fruit tones outstrip her retelling (although she says Vasalisa cuts her hair but then fails to show it). According to a note, she was inspired by Jung, Bettelheim, et al. (her interpretations ``are designed to illuminate the story's deeper significance''). Unfortunately, the tale suffers in numerous ways from this well-intentioned meddling, most importantly because Vasalisa no longer moves into independent adult life. See also Mayer, below; but Winthrop's traditional version (1991) remains the best. (Folklore/Picture Book. 4-8)
Pub Date: May 4, 1994
ISBN: 0-399-21986-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1994
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
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
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