Anemic, dispirited distillations that argue eloquently for waiting till kids are ready for the originals.
Eight classic tales of rags to (literal or at least spiritual) riches, in long summary versions.
Arranged in no discernible order, the mini-tales open with chapter-length versions of Oliver Twist, close on Hard Times, and in between offer renditions of A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, and four more dramas. Along with occasional full-page scenes Hansen adds an opening gallery of major characters to each entry and a smallish illustration on every page. These do a bit to relieve the dense-looking blocks of narrative—though her small, hunched, wooden-looking figures, almost all bearing the stark-white, pink-cheeked complexions of mimes, only intensify the general air of gloom. McAllister successfully encapsulates the themes, main events, and leading character types in each story. Her efforts to evoke Dickens’ rich language are, however, at best pedestrian: “If you are wondering if I turn out to be the hero then you must read on,” David Copperfield tells readers; “It was the best of times but also the worst of times”; “From that day on nobody ever celebrated the spirit of Christmas better than Ebenezer Scrooge. And may that be true of us all.” Young readers intimidated by the bulk of the originals will find a livelier invitation to take the plunge in Marcia Williams’ Charles Dickens and Friends (2002), particularly when conjoined with Deborah Hopkinson’s A Boy Called Dickens, illustrated by John Hendrix (2012).
Anemic, dispirited distillations that argue eloquently for waiting till kids are ready for the originals. (biographical note, timeline) (Fiction. 9-11)Pub Date: May 5, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7112-4772-7
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
It’s not the first time old Ben has paid our times a call, but it’s funny and free-spirited, with an informational load that...
Antics both instructive and embarrassing ensue after a mysterious package left on their doorstep brings a Founding Father into the lives of two modern children.
Summoned somehow by what looks for all the world like an old-time crystal radio set, Ben Franklin turns out to be an amiable sort. He is immediately taken in hand by 7-year-old Olive for a tour of modern wonders—early versions of which many, from electrical appliances in the kitchen to the Illinois town’s public library and fire department, he justly lays claim to inventing. Meanwhile big brother Nolan, 10, tags along, frantic to return him to his own era before either their divorced mom or snoopy classmate Tommy Tuttle sees him. Fleming, author of Ben Franklin’s Almanac (2003) (and also, not uncoincidentally considering the final scene of this outing, Our Eleanor, 2005), mixes history with humor as the great man dispenses aphorisms and reminiscences through diverse misadventures, all of which end well, before vanishing at last. Following a closing, sequel-cueing kicker (see above) she then separates facts from fancies in closing notes, with print and online leads to more of the former. To go with spot illustrations of the evidently all-white cast throughout the narrative, Fearing incorporates change-of-pace sets of sequential panels for Franklin’s biographical and scientific anecdotes. Final illustrations not seen.
It’s not the first time old Ben has paid our times a call, but it’s funny and free-spirited, with an informational load that adds flavor without weight. (Graphic/fantasy hybrid. 9-11)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-101-93406-7
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random
Review Posted Online: May 9, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2017
“By March 5, 1770, it was dangerous to be a soldier in Boston.” In a few lines of terse prose illustrated with densely hatched black-and-white pictures, Decker lays out the causes of the tension between Bostonians and British troops, and then delivers a blow-by-blow account of events on that March night and the ensuing trials. Along with casting a grim tone over all, his dark, crowded illustrations capture the incident’s confusion and also add details to the narrative. Despite some questionable choices—he names most of the soldiers but none of the casualties, and except for a row of coffins in one picture, never mentions how many actually died—the author leaves readers with a general understanding of what happened, and with a final scene of John Adams (who defended the soldiers in court) pondering the necessity of protecting true Liberty from the “lawless mob,” some food for thought as well. (Informational picture book. 9-10)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-59078-608-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Calkins Creek/Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2009
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