An enjoyable tale that follows a boy on a stirring quest.
A Tanzanian schoolboy makes a pilgrimage to a mountain.
In this bilingual illustrated children’s book, Rotbart tells the story of Riyaz, a 9-year-old boy attending school in Dar es Salaam, far from his home. During class, Riyaz can often be found staring out the window at Mount Kilimanjaro, a place he longs to visit. One day, he convinces the headmaster he has been invited to spend the weekend with his uncle—who does not exist—and, along with two classmates, sets off for the mountain. The boys quickly discover that Kilimanjaro is farther away than they thought, and their jaunt becomes a multiday trek. They catch a ride from an older man—whose goat rides in the front seat of his truck while the boys pile into the back—and they walk the rest of the way. They spend their nights outside, wondering if wild animals are lurking in the shadows. When they finally reach the mountain, Riyaz is thrilled to accomplish his goal. A tour bus brings them back to school, where Riyaz is shocked to discover that his teachers realized he was missing. He accepts a punishment he knows he deserves, bolstered by the knowledge that the magnificent mountain still calls to him. The English-language story is solidly written by the author and smoothly translated into Spanish by Flores. The corresponding text in English and Spanish appears on facing pages. Farrar’s colorful illustrations add visual interest and deftly bring Riyaz’s world to life. The tale is close to an early reader level of complexity. The plot is engaging, though simple, and although the cover indicates that the work is based on a true story, no information about the real Riyaz is provided, so the audience may be left wondering.
An enjoyable tale that follows a boy on a stirring quest.Pub Date: March 20, 2020
ISBN: 979-8628744895
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Another Seuss-chimera joins the ranks of the unforgettable Herlar and with the advent of the Grinch— a sort of Yule Ghoul who lives in a cave just north of who-ville. While all the Who's made ready on Christmas Eve the Grinch donned a Santa-Claus disguise. In gurgling verse at a galloping gait, we learn how the Grinch stole the "presents, the ribbons, the wrappings, the tags, the tinsel and trappings," from all the Who's. But the Grinch's heart (two sizes too small) melted just in time when he realized that the Who's enjoyed Christmas without any externals. Youngsters will be in transports over the goofy gaiety of Dr. Seuss's first book about a villain — easily the best Christmas-cad since Scrooge. Inimitable Seuss illustrations of the Grinch's dog Max disguised as a reindeer are in black and white with touches of red. Irrepressible and irresistible.
Pub Date: Oct. 12, 1957
ISBN: 0394800796
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Oct. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1957
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
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