The Topsy-Turvies are an unconventional lot, to say the least. ``Vern, stop eating with your fork,'' said Mrs. Topsy-Turvy. ``You know that's for combing your hair.'' They rise at midnight, don their pajamas, then enjoy their day—make that night—doing things upside down, in reverse, and backwards. When a neighbor knocks on their door one afternoon (``Who could that be at this time of day?'' yawns Mrs. Topsy-Turvy) requesting some baby-sitting help, they sleepily oblige. In a neighborly gesture, they put the house in their version of apple-pie order, give their charge a dose of spontaneity, and foil a burglary attempt (the burglar takes the fall for the housekeeping chaos). Simon's delightful story is told with sophisticated, genuine humor, a superb mix of good intentions and sheer outrageousness that ought to be patented as an antidote to the straight and narrow. Ludlow's candy-colored paintings add their own measure of zest to the tale, further proving that the world is a better place for having the Topsy-Turvies in it. As Mrs. Topsy-Turvy says when confronted with orthodoxy, ``It takes all sorts to make a world.'' (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: June 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-8037-1969-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1996
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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