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MOLASSES FLOOD

Name: MOLASSES FLOOD
Author: Blair Lent
ISBN: 0-395-45314-3

by Blair Lent & illustrated by Blair Lent ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1992

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A note explains that, though there really was once a flood when a molasses tank exploded (with tragic consequences not mentioned here), Lent bases his fantastical tale on a story his mother told him as a boy. When the tank bursts, little Charley Muldoon rides out the flood atop his tall, slender brick house, shouting out warnings in time for people to escape. The house parks itself in a pleasanter neighborhood; the molasses, fortuitously mixed with snow, is scooped up and served in baked beans, gingerbread, and candy until ``he didn't care if he ever saw any again.'' The story is certainly unusual, but the illustrations are of greater interest. Using closely related tones of brick and molasses imposed on pure white, Caldecott medalist Lent stylizes 19th-century Boston into toylike simplicity, somehow achieving not only elegance in design and the flavor of the city's bustle and architecture but also a cheerful, childlike air. Attractive and offbeat. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1992

ISBN: 0-395-45314-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1992

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
THE BEASTLY FEAST
by Bruce Goldstone & illustrated by Blair Lent

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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)