by Robert D. San Souci & illustrated by Jamichael Henterly ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1993
A few fragments of legend—which San Souci, in a cursory note mentioning ``a variety of classic and contemporary sources,'' does not sort out from his own additions—are padded out to create a story about Guinevere as a girl who enjoys rambling the woods, where she encounters a unicorn and other legendary creatures; later, some of these figure in her urgent mission to the new King Arthur to request his aid against enemies besieging her father's castle. The story ends with Arthur and Guinevere's marriage, despite predictions of sorrow to follow. The narrative is accessible but too contemporary in style to suggest the flavor of heroic Arthurian Britain. Henterley cites eclectic inspirations—the Bayeaux Tapestry and the Book of Kells—for his carefully wrought but rather garish illustrations (sure to attract readers). His elfin, auburn-haired heroine is genuinely appealing, and, sure, this Guinevere is a strong female protagonist, but she's also a problematic pastiche of ancient romance and a thoroughly modern point of view. (Folklore/Picture book. 7-10)
Pub Date: March 1, 1993
ISBN: 0-385-41623-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: May 20, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1993
Categories: CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S
Share your opinion of this book
Did you like this book?
More by Robert D. San Souci
BOOK REVIEW
by Robert D. San Souci & illustrated by Kelly Murphy & Antoine Revoy
BOOK REVIEW
by Robert D. San Souci & illustrated by Daniel San Souci
BOOK REVIEW
adapted by Robert D. San Souci & illustrated by Daniel San Souci
by Pat Mora & illustrated by Raúl Colón ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1997
A charming, true story about the encounter between the boy who would become chancellor at the University of California at Riverside and a librarian in Iowa. Tom†s Rivera, child of migrant laborers, picks crops in Iowa in the summer and Texas in the winter, traveling from place to place in a worn old car. When he is not helping in the fields, Tom†s likes to hear Papa Grande's stories, which he knows by heart. Papa Grande sends him to the library downtown for new stories, but Tom†s finds the building intimidating. The librarian welcomes him, inviting him in for a cool drink of water and a book. Tom†s reads until the library closes, and leaves with books checked out on the librarian's own card. For the rest of the summer, he shares books and stories with his family, and teaches the librarian some Spanish. At the end of the season, there are big hugs and a gift exchange: sweet bread from Tom†s's mother and a shiny new book from the librarianto keep. Col¢n's dreamy illustrations capture the brief friendship and its life-altering effects in soft earth tones, using round sculptured shapes that often depict the boy right in the middle of whatever story realm he's entered. (Picture book. 7-10)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1997
ISBN: 0-679-80401-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: May 20, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1997
Categories: CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S
Share your opinion of this book
Did you like this book?
More by Pat Mora
BOOK REVIEW
by Pat Mora ; illustrated by Amber Alvarez
BOOK REVIEW
by Pat Mora ; illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez
BOOK REVIEW
by Pat Mora ; illustrated by Raúl Colón
by Meredith Hooper & illustrated by Bee Willey ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2000
Trickling, bubbling, swirling, rushing, a river flows down from its mountain beginnings, past peaceful country and bustling city on its way to the sea. Hooper (The Drop in My Drink, 1998, etc.) artfully evokes the water’s changing character as it transforms from “milky-cold / rattling-bold” to a wide, slow “sliding past mudflats / looping through marshes” to the end of its journey. Willey, best known for illustrating Geraldine McCaughrean’s spectacular folk-tale collections, contributes finely detailed scenes crafted in shimmering, intricate blues and greens, capturing mountain’s chill, the bucolic serenity of passing pastures, and a sense of mystery in the water’s shadowy depths. Though Hooper refers to “the cans and cartons / and bits of old wood” being swept along, there’s no direct conservation agenda here (for that, see Debby Atwell’s River, 1999), just appreciation for the river’s beauty and being. (Picture book/nonfiction. 7-9)
Pub Date: June 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-7636-0792-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 20, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2000
Categories: CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S
Share your opinion of this book
Did you like this book?
More by Meredith Hooper
BOOK REVIEW
by Meredith Hooper & illustrated by Bee Willey
BOOK REVIEW
by Meredith Hooper & illustrated by Stephen Biesty
BOOK REVIEW
by Meredith Hooper & illustrated by Stephen Biesty
© Copyright 2022 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.