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THE LITTLE PAINTER OF SABANA GRANDE

Name: THE LITTLE PAINTER OF SABANA GRANDE
Author: Patricia Maloney Markun
ISBN: 0-02-762205-3

by Patricia Maloney Markun & illustrated by Robert Casilla ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 1993

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Fernando's teacher has told him how to make paint with natural materials—charcoal, berries, clay—so that he can continue with his art during the vacation; the one thing lacking is paper. Still, the white side of his own house looks inviting; and after his parents' initial resistance is overcome, Fernando decorates it with festoons of vines, flowers, and animals—a rooster, a monkey—familiar in his village in Panama. Based on an actual happening, Markun's first book is a straightforward, believable account, smoothly incorporating details of Panamanian life. Casilla's paintings serve the text well enough; his characters aren't well individualized, but his large spreads are colorful and attractive, and he does convey the young artist's intensity. Pleasant and unusual. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 31, 1993

ISBN: 0-02-762205-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1993

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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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)