Hall’s story follows its inspiration, Washington Irving’s tale of the Pilgrim of Love from his Alhambra, and uses some familiar fairytale tropes. In the kingdom of Granada in Spain, Prince Ahmed’s parents keep him locked in a tower to save him from the peril of love. Whiling away his days, Ahmed learns the language of birds, and a dove tells him that in a distant land in another tower a princess longs for him. Ahmed escapes his tower by unwinding his turban and climbing down it; an owl suggests traveling to Seville. There, a parrot sends him to Toledo, where Ahmed and the owl win a joust and with a magic rug sweep the princess away. The prince and princess become king and queen of Granada. Illustrations in a dry but decorative style take from modern design as well as Moorish pattern. Trimming Irving’s elaborate language, Hall’s version is still colorful and slightly exotic, and much more suited to its younger audience. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: May 1, 2005
ISBN: 1-84507-102-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2005
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
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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