In contemporary Southern India, an Irula boy named Kali experiences trouble fitting in at his school. He feels that the other children make fun of him in spite of his good marks and quick intelligence. When a rat-catcher snake threatens the safety of the children and the teacher, he whips into action using the techniques taught to him by his father, a well-known snake hunter in the region. He wins the admiration of all, and, in a pat reversal of fortune, is now deemed a hero and a friend. The more successful charcoal drawings are interspersed with energetic, yet unattractive watercolors. Kali’s face is shown in a particularly grotesque fashion to emphasize his “otherness.” There is no background on the Irula people and few readers will understand the cultural context of this slight story, but they will recognize the loneliness of the outsider in a classroom situation. (Picture book. 6-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2006
ISBN: 1-933605-10-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kane Miller
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2006
Jeram brings back characters from Bunny, My Honey (1999) for this poignant tale about families. Although they are different species, the three friends—Bunny, Little Duckling, and Miss Mouse—form a unique family along with Mommy Rabbit. Instead of trying to make her “little Honeys” conform to some one ideal, the wise mother rabbit embraces their differences, incorporating their individuality into a special song created for the trio. Soft pastel illustrations capture both the playfulness of the threesome, and the loving bonds of the family. Through the song and the games the Honeys play, Jeram encourages readers to rejoice in diversity—a warm and timely message in a world full of complex and extended families. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-7636-0846-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1999
An airy, light look at one boy’s day at the bay. Camera in tow, a young naturalist sets out in search of frogs. While there are frogs a-plenty hiding under the dock, behind rocks, and perched on the rim of his hat, his eyes are opened to polliwogs, blue herons, crayfish, hummingbirds, loons and turtles. Rhyming couplets accompany each “snapshot” of nature, forming a short, caption-like storyline for this trip around the bay. At the end of his journey, he wonders if the creatures will say, “I saw a human being today.” Pencil crayon illustrations are pale but peaceful, adding to the meditative, meandering mode. The frogs in every spread will gratify find-and-point toddlers and other young listeners. (Picture book. 2-4)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 1-55074-498-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1999
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