A Puerto Rican storyteller, now in New York, brings a catchy lilt to a story about a traditional figure well known as a simpleton. When Juan Bobo's mother goes to church, dressed to the nines, she reminds him to take good care of the pig. Concerned because the puerquito is squealing, Juan Bobo offers him pork chops and soda, but to no avail; concluding that ``You want to go to church,'' he lugs the pig into the house, dresses him in ``Mami's'' best, and frees him. When his mother returns, the fully clothed pig is rolling happily in the mud. Pitre spices his brisk narration with modern touches that are sure to elicit giggles (Mami and pig are both squeezed into girdles) and repeats key words in Spanish for color, cadence, and a painless language lesson; Hale's vibrant linoleum prints, in stylish Caribbean hues (pink, indigo, lemon, apple green), are full of energy and humor that suit the story beautifully. Perfect for sharing aloud. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1993
ISBN: 0-525-67429-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1993
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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