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THE LAST SNAKE IN IRELAND

A STORY ABOUT ST. PATRICK

The author combines two heretofore unrelated legends for an enjoyable, action-filled tale. The story of the origins of the Loch Ness Monster is combined with the story of St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland. Snakes bedevil the Irish in some gently humorous serpentine appearances—one in an outhouse. They wrap themselves around St. Patrick’s old lame dog, and he finds a way to banish them—save one. As the enormous red snake matches wits with St. Patrick, readers are compelled by what will happen next. In the midst of the battle, the snake is carried off by an eagle; St. Patrick wants to win, “but not this way.” He succeeds in dropping the snake, crated-up, into the body of water they have traveled to: Loch Ness. “There’s good magic for snakes” there, and the serpent grows to the legendary size he is today. The joke is better if readers already know that legend, but it’s an entertaining story with fun and drama in the unusual paintings. Done with a variety of media, they achieve unique textures and warmth, and the artist’s sense of humor is a perfect complement to the story. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 15, 1999

ISBN: 0-8234-1425-6

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Holiday House

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999

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THE LEGEND OF THE LADY SLIPPER

AN OJIBWE TALE

Lunge-Larsen and Preus debut with this story of a flower that blooms for the first time to commemorate the uncommon courage of a girl who saves her people from illness. The girl, an Ojibwe of the northern woodlands, knows she must journey to the next village to get the healing herb, mash-ki- ki, for her people, who have all fallen ill. After lining her moccasins with rabbit fur, she braves a raging snowstorm and crosses a dark frozen lake to reach the village. Then, rather than wait for morning, she sets out for home while the villagers sleep. When she loses her moccasins in the deep snow, her bare feet are cut by icy shards, and bleed with every step until she reaches her home. The next spring beautiful lady slippers bloom from the place where her moccasins were lost, and from every spot her injured feet touched. Drawing on Ojibwe sources, the authors of this fluid retelling have peppered the tale with native words and have used traditional elements, e.g., giving voice to the forces of nature. The accompanying watercolors, with flowing lines, jewel tones, and decorative motifs, give stately credence to the story’s iconic aspects. (Picture book/folklore. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-395-90512-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1999

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THE COLORS OF US

This vibrant, thoughtful book from Katz (Over the Moon, 1997) continues her tribute to her adopted daughter, Lena, born in Guatemala. Lena is “seven. I am the color of cinnamon. Mom says she could eat me up”; she learns during a painting lesson that to get the color brown, she will have to “mix red, yellow, black, and white paints.” They go for a walk to observe the many shades of brown: they see Sonia, who is the color of creamy peanut butter; Isabella, who is chocolate brown; Lucy, both peachy and tan; Jo-Jin, the color of honey; Kyle, “like leaves in fall”; Mr. Pellegrino, the color of pizza crust, golden brown. Lena realizes that every shade is beautiful, then mixes her paints accordingly for portraits of her friends—“The colors of us!” Bold illustrations celebrate diversity with a child’s open-hearted sensibility and a mother’s love. (Picture book. 6-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-8050-5864-8

Page Count: 28

Publisher: Henry Holt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1999

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