When Jesse asks why he doesn't have brothers and sisters, Daddy answers, ``You do,'' and tells Jesse's favorite story, beginning with the reminder that many of his eponymous siblings live in cities and have professions like those of people Jesse knows. Dad goes on to review 21 tribes and the work or art for which they are known—e.g., the Guere for their masks, the Falasha for pottery, and many groups of farmers, some of whom grow ``things I never heard of...like sorghum and millet,'' says Jesse. But he has heard of them, and knows them well because his dad has made a happy game of rehearsing their names with him. Kroll (Masai and I, 1992) again shares a good deal of information in a story that successfully conveys her enthusiasm for her subject. French debuts with freely rendered watercolors that nicely evoke both the African scene and the camaraderie between Jesse and his father. A fine basic introduction to African culture and tribal names. Pronunciation guide; note; map locating countries and tribes. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: March 31, 1993
ISBN: 0-02-751166-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Four Winds/MacMillan
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1993
A book that will make young dog-owners smile in recognition and confirm dogless readers' worst suspicions about the mayhem caused by pets, even winsome ones. Sam, who bears passing resemblance to an affable golden retriever, is praised for fetching the family newspaper, and goes on to fetch every other newspaper on the block. In the next story, only the children love Sam's swimming; he is yelled at by lifeguards and fishermen alike when he splashes through every watering hole he can find. Finally, there is woe to the entire family when Sam is bored and lonely for one long night. Boland has an essential message, captured in both both story and illustrations of this Easy-to-Read: Kids and dogs belong together, especially when it's a fun-loving canine like Sam. An appealing tale. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: April 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-8037-1530-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1996
Sloat collaborates with Huffman, a Yu’pik storyteller, to infuse a traditional “origins” tale with the joy of creating. Hearing the old women of her village grumble that they have only tasteless crowberries for the fall feast’s akutaq—described as “Eskimo ice cream,” though the recipe at the end includes mixing in shredded fish and lard—young Anana carefully fashions three dolls, then sings and dances them to life. Away they bound, to cover the hills with cranberries, blueberries, and salmonberries. Sloat dresses her smiling figures in mixes of furs and brightly patterned garb, and sends them tumbling exuberantly through grassy tundra scenes as wildlife large and small gathers to look on. Despite obtrusively inserted pronunciations for Yu’pik words in the text, young readers will be captivated by the action, and by Anana’s infectious delight. (Picture book/folktale. 6-8)
Pub Date: June 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-88240-575-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2004
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