An unsentimental, but not unsympathetic, story about a child who has ``always looked forward to branding day'' and its excitement and neighborly cooperation—until she has her own calf. Annie, who has bottle-fed the orphaned Doodle, begins to worry about the pain to be inflicted by the special brand that Gramps is making—an extension of the family's ``Double H'' with her own ``A.'' For the rest of the family, it's a workaday event, and each member deals differently with Annie's apprehensions: Gramps compares branding to inoculation and recalls their brand's history; Buster taunts, then bets Annie will shut her eyes; Gram suggests that Annie could help in the kitchen instead of watching; Mom reminds her to do her regular chores. But Annie rises to the occasion, helps with the fire, and even keeps her eyes open. A realistic and perceptive slice of ranch life, seamlessly incorporating a good deal of information on branding (there's an informative note, too), and tenderly illustrated in Himler's signature watercolor style. (Fiction/Young reader. 6-10)
Pub Date: March 22, 1993
ISBN: 0-395-60118-5
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1993
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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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