Most picture-book war stories are long on history but short on humor—until now. When a young man enlists in the Union Army, he’s annoyed, embarrassed and frustrated when his cow persists in following him into battle. “That dadblamed cow! When I went to join the Union army, she did not stay home like a regular cow but followed me down to the enlistment office.” She’s persnickety about eating unstomped grass; swats flies off the soldiers’ heads with her tail; provides body heat on frosty nights and milk when food is scarce. When the soldier is hit with a musket ball, his cow helps nurse him back to health. When the war is over, a newspaper reporter takes her photo and folks come from miles around to scratch between her horns and admire the cow that’s been awarded a medal by the Captain for “brave and unusual service to country.” An author’s note explains that the story is true, based on newspaper reports from the Civil War. It’s the telling in the soldier’s voice that engages the reader and captures just the right tone without caricaturizing or sensationalizing. Root’s droll style perfectly portrays the story with homespun flavor and military-blue–dominant illustrations that express human and bovine characteristics. (Picture book/historical fiction. 5-8)
Pub Date: July 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7636-2263-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2007
An inspiring story of young boy's compelling desire to read. As a boy of nine, Booker works in a salt mine from the dark of early morning to the gloom of night, hungry for a meal, but even hungrier to learn to read. Readers follow him on his quest in Malden, Virginia, where he finds inspiration in a man ``brown as me'' reading a newspaper on a street corner. An alphabet book helps, but Booker can't make the connection to words. Seeking out ``that brown face of hope'' once again, Booker gains a sense of the sounds represented by letters, and these become his deliverance. Bradby's fine first book is tautly written, with a poetic, spiritual quality in every line. The beautifully executed, luminous illustrations capture the atmosphere of an African-American community post-slavery: the drudgery of days consumed by back- breaking labor, the texture of private lives conducted by lantern- light. There is no other context or historical note about Booker T. Washington's life, leaving readers to piece together his identity. Regardless, this is an immensely satisfying, accomplished work, resonating first with longing and then with joy. (Picture book. 5- 8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1995
ISBN: 0-531-09464-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orchard
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1995
The lifecycle of the frog is succinctly summarized in this easy reader for children reading at the late first-grade level. In just one or two sentences per page, Vern details the amazing metamorphosis of the frog from egg to tadpole to adult, even injecting a little humor despite the tight word count. (“Watch out fly! Mmmm!) Large, full-color photographs on white backgrounds clearly illustrate each phase of development. Without any mention of laying eggs or fertilization, the title might be a bit misleading, but the development from black dot egg to full-grown frog is fascinating. A simple chart of the three main lifecycle steps is also included. Lifecycles are part of the standard curriculum in the early elementary grades, and this will be a welcome addition to school and public libraries, both for its informational value and as an easy reader. (Nonfiction/easy reader. 5-7)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-15-216304-2
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Green Light/Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2001
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