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ONE STORMY NIGHT

Name: ONE STORMY NIGHT
Author: Ruth Brown
ISBN: 0-525-45091-2

by Ruth Brown & illustrated by Ruth Brown ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1993

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The wind is howling, but a full moon shines the night the little white dog comes in the wrought-iron gate to explore a stately home dating back to Elizabethan times. The cat hisses; the big brown dog by the fire (under an old portrait of three children with a dog that looks like the visitor) awakes and barks; even an owl is uneasy at the little dog's passing. Then, at dawn, the dog goes to the church, leaps up to the recumbent statue of his master, and becomes stone—part of the effigy on his tomb. The brief, quiet text adds some pleasing shivers, but this appealing, wholly benign ghost story is best told in Brown's beautiful watercolors, in rich grays warmed with touches of moonlight and the fire's glow. The old house is cozily shadowed and spooky; the animals are observed with precision and affection. A truly charming, offbeat alternative for Halloween or anytime. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1993

ISBN: 0-525-45091-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1993

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
BLACK BEAUTY
by Anna Sewell ; adapted by Ruth Brown ; illustrated by Ruth Brown

- BOOK REVIEW
THE QUAYSIDE CAT
by Toby Forward ; illustrated by Ruth Brown

- BOOK REVIEW
MONKEY'S FRIENDS
by Ruth Brown & illustrated by Ruth Brown

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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)