The subtitle is a bit misleading: these 21 selections, drawn from Indian, African, European, Native American, and Chinese sources, include proverbs, riddles, pourquoi and trickster tales, plus the disguised life lessons usually considered fables. Here, we get a funny Czechoslovakian story about a pig and a bear who buy each other's wares at the bazaar with the single nickel they trade back and forth, and a logical puzzle from the Caucasus, its solution given in pictures, as well as a Muskogee version of ``The Hare and the Tortoise.'' There's at least one of Hogrogian's wonderfully appealing animals on most pages; she's also designed the clean, attractively balanced layout. For those who want to go beyond Aesop and La Fontaine: a nice addition to multicultural collections. (Folklore/Picture book. 6-10)
Pub Date: Sept. 16, 1992
ISBN: 0-399-21876-9
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1992
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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