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
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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