A lushly illustrated and well-written story with a big heart and a noble purpose.
The illustrated tale of a beautiful alpaca that develops a mysterious disease.
Destiny is the newest arrival at the alpaca farm, and his owners are soon captivated by his spirited, inquisitive disposition. What’s more, with his perfect form and lustrous, caramel-colored fleece, they are certain that he will be a prize winner in the show ring as well as provide soft and silky yarn for knitting. The other males in the herd quickly accept Destiny, and he grazes and sleeps contentedly beside them. But, in a kind of reverse of the ugly duckling theme, one morning his owner finds him curled up on the ground, shivering in his suddenly patchy coat, and surrounding Destiny are “tiny mountains of champagne silk.” The vet diagnoses Destiny with alopecia and explains that although Destiny is healthy, something has triggered his immune system to cause his fleece to fall out. With his strange new appearance, the herd shuns him, and Destiny becomes a dejected outcast. But soon after, when the herd finds itself in perilous danger, Destiny triumphs and proves his mettle in a clever and endearing ending. The story’s seamless flow and vivid, imaginative descriptions are perfect for young readers: “The alpacas were round-bodied and puffy—cotton balls glued upon an artist’s landscape,” and the young alpaca “chanced a few wooden steps on matchstick legs” and then “collapsed like a marionette.” The lovely illustrations, rendered in soft, muted colors, are well-suited to the story and ably support the writing. Destiny’s affliction provides a springboard for an informative discussion about a disease that, according to the book, affects “1.7% of all people.” The story will bring comfort to those who have had to either struggle with a disability or support someone in their effort to overcome an obstacle. Included is a helpful glossary as well as interesting facts about alpacas with accompanying photographs. Additional resources for teachers and parents are downloadable and available online.
A lushly illustrated and well-written story with a big heart and a noble purpose.Pub Date: April 30, 2010
ISBN: 978-1601310644
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Nov. 8, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A nice but not requisite purchase.
A retelling of the classic fairy tale in board-book format and with a Mexican setting.
Though simplified for a younger audience, the text still relates the well-known tale: mean-spirited stepmother, spoiled stepsisters, overworked Cinderella, fairy godmother, glass slipper, charming prince, and, of course, happily-ever-after. What gives this book its flavor is the artwork. Within its Mexican setting, the characters are olive-skinned and dark-haired. Cultural references abound, as when a messenger comes carrying a banner announcing a “FIESTA” in beautiful papel picado. Cinderella is the picture of beauty, with her hair up in ribbons and flowers and her typically Mexican many-layered white dress. The companion volume, Snow White, set in Japan and illustrated by Misa Saburi, follows the same format. The simplified text tells the story of the beautiful princess sent to the forest by her wicked stepmother to be “done away with,” the dwarves that take her in, and, eventually, the happily-ever-after ending. Here too, what gives the book its flavor is the artwork. The characters wear traditional clothing, and the dwarves’ house has the requisite shoji screens, tatami mats and cherry blossoms in the garden. The puzzling question is, why the board-book presentation? Though the text is simplified, it’s still beyond the board-book audience, and the illustrations deserve full-size books.
A nice but not requisite purchase. (Board book/fairy tale. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-7915-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
More gift book than storybook, this is a meaningful addition to nursery bookshelves
A young child explores the unlimited potential inherent in all humans.
“Have you ever wondered why you are here?” asks the second-person narration. There is no one like you. Maybe you’re here to make a difference with your uniqueness; maybe you will speak for those who can’t or use your gifts to shine a light into the darkness. The no-frills, unrhymed narrative encourages readers to follow their hearts and tap into their limitless potential to be anything and do anything. The precisely inked and colored artwork plays with perspective from the first double-page spread, in which the child contemplates a mountain (or maybe an iceberg) in their hands. Later, they stand on a ladder to place white spots on tall, red mushrooms. The oversized flora and fauna seem to symbolize the presumptively insurmountable, reinforcing the book’s message that anything is possible. This quiet read, with its sophisticated central question, encourages children to reach for their untapped potential while reminding them it won’t be easy—they will make messes and mistakes—but the magic within can help overcome falls and failures. It’s unlikely that members of the intended audience have begun to wonder about their life’s purpose, but this life-affirming mood piece has honorable intentions. The child, accompanied by an adorable piglet and sporting overalls and a bird-beaked cap made of leaves, presents white.
More gift book than storybook, this is a meaningful addition to nursery bookshelves . (Picture book. 2-8)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-946873-75-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Compendium
Review Posted Online: May 21, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2019
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