Families and teachers who want to make children aware of God’s creativity can find better books than this throwback to...
In simplistic rhyme, children in different countries praise God for the good things in their lives, the scenes a mishmash of cultural stereotypes.
Lady Liberty, pyramids, fiestas with piñatas, “sunlight in Red Square,” “castles and shamrocks,” and “wooden clogs that go click-clack” are pointed out by nearly identical, round-faced, smiling children, differing only slightly in skin and hair colors. The first spread shows children pointing to their unnamed countries on a globe. (The Australian girl appears to point to Greenland!) The first lift-the-flap, double-page spread shows Fourth of July fireworks at the Statue of Liberty. The book includes single-page illustrations on the left (Egypt, Russia, an unspecified East African country, India and Australia) and lift-the-flap pages on the right-hand side depicting Mexico, Ireland, an East Asian country (China or Japan?), the Netherlands and a Nordic nation. The illustrations under the flap add little detail; other than the Mexican example, in which the piñata breaks and the candies shower down in the hidden section, this novelty is not used very effectively. The book’s cultural tone-deafness is evident in such gaffes as the Egyptian children's camel named, of all things, George. Although this book could be used in Sunday schools more interested in feel-good simplicity then accuracy, its small size limits its usefulness with large groups.
Families and teachers who want to make children aware of God’s creativity can find better books than this throwback to ’50s-style international goodwill. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-310-72264-9
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
Though it’s fairly unoriginal at its core, this story’s charismatic star will have appeal in dog-loving households.
A rescued dog chosen as a Hanukkah present at an animal shelter relates his good luck as he learns to adapt to his new family and home.
Zoe and Zach welcome their new pet, a playful, medium-sized, golden-brown dog, and name him Latke (he’s exactly the color of one). The newest member of the family assumes all the celebratory aspects of the eight-day Hanukkah holiday are just for him and innocently creates a mild disturbance on each night. Latke eats the sufganiyot and latkes, rips open presents, chews up the dreidels and candles, slobbers all over the chocolate gelt and knocks the bowl of applesauce over. With each mishap, Zoe and Zach find a way to forgive, letting the curious new dog know he is very fortunate indeed. Ever remorseful, Latke finally accepts his own gift of a chew toy and understands he is one lucky dog to be part of a great family. Latke relates his own story, folding his innocent misdeeds into the basic structure of the eight nights of remembrance. Simple, childlike gouache scenes favor the star of the story, a sweet and personable mutt sporting floppy black ears against a brown happy face. He has rather more personality than the overall presentation, which cannot shed its inherent didacticism.
Though it’s fairly unoriginal at its core, this story’s charismatic star will have appeal in dog-loving households. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-7613-9038-1
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Kar-Ben
Review Posted Online: June 30, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
In the end too much is left unanswered, making this book pleasant but only passable
A mouse searches for and finally finds her missing Seder plate.
Pippa is an industrious house-cleaning mouse. And no wonder—Passover is starting this very evening. Dusting and sweeping finished, she turns her attention to setting the table as a pot of chicken stew bubbles away on the stovetop. But there is one very important object that is missing: the “special Seder plate.” Frantically, the mouse searches through boxes and cupboards and finally ventures into the yard. First she encounters a very large cat and asks if it has seen the plate. “No,” answers the cat and points her to a snake, who sends her to an owl, who directs her to Golda Fish, prettily swimming in the water. Success! Kirkfield’s little tale is written in rhyming couplets with much repetition of “QUIVER! QUAVER! SHIVER! SHAKE!” for emphasis with each interaction with a predator, so readers will be mightily puzzled when the formerly frightful critters join Pippa at the holiday table. Weber’s gouache, crayon, and collage illustrations are sweetly pretty. The final illustration features a Seder plate with transliterated Hebrew and an English translation of the components. Readers familiar with the holiday may find this mildly enjoyable, but others will likely want and need more information.
In the end too much is left unanswered, making this book pleasant but only passable . (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Feb. 12, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-8234-4162-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 11, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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