THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO PAINTED THE SKY

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THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO PAINTED THE SKY

Name: THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO PAINTED THE SKY
Author: Teri Sloat
ISBN: 978-0-8050-6751-4

by Teri Sloat and illustrated by Stefano Vitale ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 2009

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This intriguing creation story was inspired by a real event. An author’s note informs readers that in 1879 an eight-year-old girl discovered primitive paintings on the ceiling of a cave in Spain. From this seed a vision spins out in Vitale’s psychedelic, mixed-media illustrations and Sloat’s energetic verse. Based loosely on the rhythm of the familiar folk song about the old woman who swallowed a fly, the cumulative text imagines an elderly, bearded creator who paints the sky, the stars, moon and sun, day and night, people, planets and animals into being. From there he passes the paints to his human creations, who decorate themselves and the world. Next comes “the child in a cave all alone” who finds the images on the ceiling. While the text may have been motivated by historical events, the child depicted is in modern dress, which may confuse literal-minded readers. Most young listeners, however, will be too busy poring over the pictures and pondering the great mystery to worry too much about the details. Fascinating and thought-provoking. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: July 1, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-8050-6751-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Henry Holt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2009

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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ZIP! ZOOM! ON A BROOM
by Teri Sloat ; illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet

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PABLO IN THE SNOW
by Teri Sloat ; illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet

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I’M A DUCK!
by Teri Sloat & illustrated by Teri Sloat

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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)