Who owns the hefty holstein in the pasture? Children whose first thought is that Ben & Jerry are likely candidates will be forgiven. Is it the farmer who paid for the cow, or the little girl who adores the cow, or the milkman who benefits from the cow's products, or the artist who paints the animal? Each and every one has a special relationship with the ruminant beast, be it love or livelihood or inspiration. The text has a pleasant cadence, but framing the discussion of the cow in terms of ownership is far too abstract and philosophical for most readers, and will confuse them. Even as a low-profile broadside against the narrowness of property law, the critique is not pointed enough to bite and not clear enough to have meaning for children. Landis's folk art shows a sophisticated use of acrylics, in scenes populated by an affectionate bunch of bovine fans. Who owns the cow? Some readers will jettison the proprietary nonsense and just enjoy old Elsie for her own fine sake. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Aug. 21, 1995
ISBN: 0-395-70145-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1995
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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