In this lyrical retelling of the classic Grimm tale, a young couple lives by the sea. When the woman becomes pregnant, she craves only sugar cane, so the man sets out for the far side of the island, only to discover some in the garden of a grand house nearby. He takes a few stalks, but when he returns for more, he finds the garden’s owner, the sorceress Madame Fate, who announces she will claim the child in payment for the theft. A year after Sugar Cane is born, “as glowing and velvety as a black pansy,” the sorceress imprisons her in a tower with only the ghosts of great teachers and a green monkey for company. Years later, a musician hears Sugar Cane’s voice echoing over the waves, setting the rest of the story into satisfying motion, culminating in a joyous wedding dance, which may still continue to this day. Storace’s glimmering prose and Colón’s luminous artwork are a perfect combination and complement to the story, and a dreamlike tribute to the beauty of the sea. (Fiction. 6-10)
Pub Date: July 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7868-0791-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Disney-Jump at the Sun
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2007
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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