by Alan Schroeder & illustrated by Yoriko Ito ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1994
On her deathbed, Lily's grandmother extracts from her a pretty wild vow: to wear a lacquered bowl upon her head to protect her innocence from all men. Lily, now alone in the world, keeps her vow, even when she is called to the landlord's house to care for his hateful wife. The wife, Matsu, torments Lily from the word go, but Matsu's son is much taken with the bowl-bedecked Lily, to the point of seeking her in marriage. The despicable Matsu tries to sabotage the event by challenging Lily to perform impossible feats, but one of the two unusual gifts Lily's grandmother left her comes to save the day. Matsu is banished, the marriage goes forth, and—on cue—the bowl splits open to rain precious stones down on the wedding party. Schroeder (The Stone Lion, p. 309, etc.) has written a weirdly wonderful adaptation of the Japanese tale (adaptation is putting it mildly, much has been diddled with here). Ito's paintings are enthralling, often resembling the panels of a delicate Japanese screen, with a beautiful sense of space. It's hard to believe that a story of a girl with a bowl on her head could have the credibility, and power, shown here. (Folklore/Picture book. 6-10)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1994
ISBN: 0-385-30792-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1994
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by Lois Lowry & illustrated by Middy Thomas ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2002
Gooney Bird Greene (with a silent E) is not your average second grader. She arrives in Mrs. Pidgeon’s class announcing: “I’m your new student and I just moved here from China. I want a desk right smack in the middle of the room, because I like to be right smack in the middle of everything.” Everything about her is unusual and mysterious—her clothes, hairstyles, even her lunches. Since the second graders have never met anyone like Gooney Bird, they want to hear more about her. Mrs. Pidgeon has been talking to the class about what makes a good story, so it stands to reason that Gooney will get her chance. She tells a series of stories that explain her name, how she came from China on a flying carpet, how she got diamond earrings at the prince’s palace, and why she was late for school (because she was directing a symphony orchestra). And her stories are “absolutely true.” Actually, they are explainable and mesh precisely with the teacher’s lesson, more important, they are a clever device that exemplify the elements of good storytelling and writing and also demonstrate how everyone can turn everyday events into stories. Savvy teachers should take note and add this to their shelf of “how a story is made” titles. Gooney Bird’s stories are printed in larger type than the narrative and the black-and-white drawings add the right touch of sauciness (only the cover is in color). A hybrid of Harriet, Blossom, and Anastasia, irrepressible Gooney Bird is that rare bird in children’s fiction: one that instantly becomes an amusing and popular favorite. (Fiction. 6-9)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2002
ISBN: 0-618-23848-4
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Walter Lorraine/Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2002
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by Teri Sloat & Betty Huffman & illustrated by Teri Sloat ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2004
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
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