A gentle, lighthearted fantasy about ``lonely only'' Allie who, wishing on a star on her ninth birthday, gets immediate results: a baby falls from the Milky Way into her father's arms. Like any baby, Sammy captures her parents' attention; however, he also grows extraordinarily fast, can float in the air, and soon learns to talk. After taking Allie aloft on a memorable journey, he elects to return to his own family; a final scene takes place on Allie's tenth birthday, when she has a new, more ordinary baby brother. Though the story doesn't have much depth, it's charmingly told and makes a novel way to examine the pros and cons of having a new baby in the house. A blind grandfather who's avidly interested in astrology is an especially amiable character; Apple's frequent illustrations, seen in unfinished form, look promising. (Fiction. 6-10)
Pub Date: April 1, 1992
ISBN: 0-15-200905-1
Page Count: 72
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1992
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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