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CROW AND FOX AND OTHER ANIMAL LEGENDS

Name: CROW AND FOX AND OTHER ANIMAL LEGENDS
Author: Jan Thornhill
ISBN: 0-671-87428-4

‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 22, 1993

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From the Canadian creator of The Wildlife 1 2 3 (1989), a delightful chain of nine short fables and pourquoi tales from around the globe. Each has two characters, one of which is also a principal in the succeeding story, though its personality may change: e.g., Tortoise is cunning in a West African tale but stupidly vain in one from China. This clever linking device is inverted in the pictures: the ``left-behind'' animal from each tale appears in the background of the illustration for the next one, even though it isn't an actor there. Thornhill's dramatic full-page art features deep, jewel-like colors, firm outlines, and varied textures within patterned borders inspired by traditional designs from the tales' homelands. A map locates story areas; list of sources for border patterns. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Oct. 22, 1993

ISBN: 0-671-87428-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1993

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
THE TRIUMPHANT TALE OF THE HOUSE SPARROW
by Jan Thornhill ; illustrated by Jan Thornhill

- BOOK REVIEW
I AM JOSEPHINE
by Jan Thornhill ; illustrated by Jacqui Lee

- BOOK REVIEW
THE TRAGIC TALE OF THE GREAT AUK
by Jan Thornhill ; illustrated by Jan Thornhill

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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)