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
Trisha is ready to start at a new school, where no one will know she has dyslexia. At first, she is heartbroken to be in Miss Peterson’s special-ed class, aka, “the junkyard.” But Miss Peterson treats the children as anything but junk, showing them that everyone has a unique talent. Polacco’s trademark style is fully present here; her sensitively drawn alter ego shines with depth of feeling. When bullying occurs, Miss Peterson proves her students are worthwhile by planning a junkyard field trip, where they find valuable objects to be used in exciting ways. Trisha’s group repairs a plane, and the class buys an engine for it. Then a beloved class member dies, and the children must find a way to honor him. While the plot meanders somewhat, the characters are appealing, believable and provide a fine portrayal of a truly special class. Children will be drawn in by the story’s warmth and gentle humor and will leave with a spark of inspiration, an appreciation of individual differences and a firm anti-bullying message, all underscored by the author’s note that concludes the book. (Picture book. 7-10)
Pub Date: July 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-399-25078-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2010
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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