Oppenheim (Yanni Rubbish, 1999, etc.) employs familiar motifs to craft a story with the feel of a folktale. Ali ibn Ali is the much-loved but spoiled son of kind, doting parents. His haughty disregard for others, particularly the beggar at the gate of his palace, causes his mother to remark, “A true Muslim gives to the poor, the crippled, the homeless, the hungry.” When Ali’s father becomes mysteriously and gravely ill, Ali’s only hope to save him, according to the beggar, is to discard his expensive clothes, take up a beggar’s bowl, and beg for money to buy the ingredients for a stew that will heal his father. Ali finds that begging is a humiliating and humbling experience. But the advice proves correct: the magic remedy cures his father, Ali learns the healing power of kindness, and the archetypal giver of wisdom melts into the night sky. With opulent, stylized illustrations that have the flavor of the Thousand and One Nights, this tale is ultimately as satisfying as Ali’s stew. And the references to Allah may stimulate conversation. (Picture book. 5-9)
Pub Date: March 1, 2001
ISBN: 1-56397-869-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2002
Tobias, who wrote the wondrous A World of Words (1998), disappoints in this one, which never actually defines the word with which it plays. Serendipity’s derivation comes from the tale of the three princes of Serendip, who were always finding unexpected pleasures that they were not seeking. She doesn’t mention any of that. Instead, Tobias defines by event: “Serendipity is getting to the zoo just when it’s feeding time for the seals” or “Serendipity is when you find out you actually look better in glasses.” One could argue with her choices, too—blowing out all your birthday candles and having your wish come true isn’t exactly serendipity, is it? A cast of multiethnic folk with button eyes and snub noses smile through these pages, whose illustrations use two- and four-colors as well as full-color to engaging effect. Caution: may inspire crankiness in some wordsmiths. (Picture book. 5-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-689-83373-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2000
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Sage has the flu and receives her vocabulary list via a hurried phone call from her best friend, who spells all but the last word. Sage spells the unfamiliar word as best she can and compounds the problem by writing her own highly imaginative definition without the benefit of a dictionary. The hilarious error is discovered during a vocabulary bee and she is “devastated, ruined, finished.” The format of this enchanting book is ingenious. Words are defined within the text and as part of the colorful illustrations. Frasier (Out of the Ocean, 1998, etc.) uses pencil and markers on notebook paper to create a complete record of Sage’s vocabulary disaster and ensuing triumph. A border of sentences that Sage writes for another assignment provides a subtext that explains her emotions as the plot unfurls. There is also an addendum in the form of a “vocabulary parade Scrapbook.” Even the end papers and the flyleaf are an integral part of the book. There are delightful surprises on every page of this charmer. It is sure to be a favorite that will be read again and again. (Picture book. 6-9)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-15-202163-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2000
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