There are many reasons Andersen is one of the great masters of the fairy tale, and they're all evident in this retelling by newcomer Peachey. The ``white bees'' of winter swarm as the Snow Queen takes an icy breath and covers the windows with ``strange and beautiful forms.'' But the little lovers Kay and Gerda always keep each other in sight by making peepholes in the frost with pennies heated on the stove. When Gerda almost freezes in her pursuit of the kidnapped Kay, her breath becomes as hot as steam and takes the shape of warrior angels who cause the snow to fall ``into thousands of pieces.'' The illustrations by Lynch are spectacular, fraught with lush and imaginative detail: In his interpretation of the above battle, the angels are made of pale glowing embers and the snowflakes become snarling ice-demons who hurl glasslike shards. In this tale, presented here by a gifted team, the real becomes poetry and the unreal seems utterly believable. (Folklore/Picture book. 6-10)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1994
ISBN: 0-15-200874-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1994
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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