Hamlet, an intrepid little pig, decides to buy a kite—not a little kite like his nervous friend Quince the porcupine suggests timidly, but a fierce, red, Chinese dragon kite. He buys the fearsome thing and heads for a field near his house, where the wind is nice and strong. Hamlet has glorious fun until a big gust of wind comes along. Hamlet won't let go of the kite, so he is yanked up into the air and has the ride of his life. But when an eagle thinks that a real dragon is kidnapping Hamlet, she and the other eagles rush to his defense, tearing the kite to pieces. The kite's string gets tangled in a tree on the descent, so Hamlet is saved from a crash landing. Later, ensconced in his favorite chair sipping cocoa, the irrepressible Hamlet starts dreaming up another great adventure. Bright and comical illustrations add to the pleasure of this cheerful story that celebrates the wild spirit of a spunky pig as well as the wisdom of his more conservative pal. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1994
ISBN: 0-395-63891-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1994
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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