Bowen follows up her boundary waters alphabet book Antler, Bear, Canoe (1991) with a book of numbers that follows the sun's rays through the seasons. Not for those with seasonal affective disorder, this book emphasizes the flurry of summer activity that occurs on northern climates, in preparation for nine months of winter. Swimming, berry picking, fishing, and collecting wild rice fill the short months of summer, to when savored later, when the snow falls. The wood grain and bright colors of Bowen's block prints evoke an environment of trees, mosquitoes, loons, and pine, bathed in the light of a clear, if sometimes cold, sun. The narrator explains that in spring, ``we'' (a family) must think ahead to the months when temperatures will hit zero, and start preparations immediately. Readers count through summer and fall, concluding with 12 inches of snow in winter. The concept is simple and pure, with each act a celebration of a special way of life. The only thing missing in this book is a section on negative numbers, to record the thermometer readings of -34¯ in darkest December! (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1995
ISBN: 0-316-10371-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1995
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
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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