Kimmel retells six tales from Adina de Zavala’s History and Legends of the Alamo and Other Missions In and Around San Antonio (1996). These are stories of miracles involving padres, Our Lady and unwavering faith for young readers. The background is 17th-, 18th- and early 19th-century Texas, then under the rule of Spain and Mexico, and the conflicts between Spanish colonizers and Indians is evident in these brief tales, which include strong moral lessons. A pair of stories about padres concludes, “Always be polite and kind to strangers, especially if they wear brown robes and walk with sandals on their feet.” This is “what parents in San Antonio tell their children to this day.” Guevara’s lush full-page illustrations contain holy figures, often larger than life, radiating beams of light, and sometimes floating through the air, in the style of popular religious art well suited to these tales. These tales of simple folk beliefs may charm some readers and irritate others. (timeline for the Texas Missions, introduction, author’s note) (Folktale anthology. 6-10)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-8234-1738-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2006
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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