Featuring tidbits of children’s folklore from 15 countries, this small collection provides a double-page spread on each custom, starting with a four-line poem followed by a short paragraph giving just enough information for young readers to absorb. The details are wonderfully expressed in Kleven’s jewel-toned mixed-media illustrations, which magically portray children and adults in rural and urban settings that look traditional and contemporary at the same time. From such religious traditions as inserting papers with wishes in Israel’s Wailing Wall to the less formal wish-making of blowing out the birthday candles in the United States, puffing dandelions in Ireland or seeing a single striped weasel in Zulu villages in South Africa, the author and illustrator present a playfulness and a hope for better lives that is contagious. Some details are lacking: There are further explanations of the traditions at the end, but no sources, and a finding game of some lucky symbols is presented without explanation thereof. Still, for pure fun, this will inspire children to try out all of these ways of wishing. (endpaper maps) (Informational picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-8118-5716-1
Page Count: 44
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2008
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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