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HOW THUNDER AND LIGHTING CAME TO BE

Name: HOW THUNDER AND LIGHTING CAME TO BE
Author: Beatrice Orcutt Harrell
ISBN: 0-8037-1748-2

A CHOCTAW LEGEND

adapted by Beatrice Orcutt Harrell & illustrated by Susan L. Roth ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1995

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An inspired story and visual pleasure, from a new author and a well-known collagist. Crafted from a number of sources, Harrell provides an author's note to place the tale, and follows with a matter-of-factly goofy story of two foolish birds commissioned by the sun god to warn his ``chosen people'' of bad weather. The birds' well-intended, clumsy efforts to carry out their mission are comedic: running from village to village doesn't work, nor does hollering down from the clouds (why these birds can fly one minute and not fly the next is a little confusing). A clever twist brings the proper results, although the forgiving and loving bird dolts, endearing in the extreme, are still trying to think of a way to warn the Choctaw to this day. Roth's pages are bright, good-humored, and wildly inventive; lightning is rendered in broken and sprinkled snatches of white darting across the page. Her ability to compose canny gestures and poses—the leaning close for a whisper, a crazy-legged pursuit of tumbling eggs—is almost eerie and always effective. (Picture book/folklore. 4-8)

Pub Date: May 1, 1995

ISBN: 0-8037-1748-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Dial Books

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1995

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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A DOG NAMED SAM

by Janice Boland & illustrated by G. Brian Karas ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1996

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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BERRY MAGIC

by Teri Sloat & Betty Huffman & illustrated by Teri Sloat ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2004

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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)