A Zuni tale of the American Southwest. Would-be warrior Ahaiyute, ``as nimble as an antelope, as sleek as a trout, and as strong as a buffalo,'' seeks a worthy challenge to prove his manhood. His grandmother tells him of a monster that has settled in the East and gives him magic feathers to level the playing field. Ahaiyute travels to the monster's land and befriends a mole who helps him defeat his foe. Hulpach makes the allegorical elements of the tale (the monster symbolizing the white invader, the mole the power of nature, etc.) universal and accessible to children by focusing on the heroic aspect of Ahaiyute's quest rather than the monster's deeds. The illustrations serve the same purpose: Created in a realistic style, they emphasize Ahaiyute's youthfulness; the murky color scheme, relieved only by the brightly colored feathers, conveys the feeling of darkness that has settled over the land. A Czech author and a Polish illustrator may seem an unusual pair to find behind a piece of Native American mythology; in this case, distance lends clarity. (Picture book/folklore. 6-10)
Pub Date: April 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-201237-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
At ``Step 2'' in the useful ``Step into Reading'' series: an admirably clear, well-balanced presentation that centers on wolves' habits and pack structure. Milton also addresses their endangered status, as well as their place in fantasy, folklore, and the popular imagination. Attractive realistic watercolors on almost every page. Top-notch: concise, but remarkably extensive in its coverage. A real bargain. (Nonfiction/Easy reader. 6-10)
Pub Date: April 1, 1992
ISBN: 0-679-91052-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
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