When the owner of Pete’s Diner finds an orange, tiger-striped and scrawny cat in his garbage can, he names him Salami, after the cat’s favorite food. Skinny Sammy Salami quickly becomes chubby, but Pete, worn out from doing all the diner chores without any help, longs for a vacation and packs up for a weekend in the mountains. When he doesn’t return right away, Sammy pussyfoots his way onto the daily commuter train, thinking Pete is inside cooking, where a woman “rescues” him and names him Choo-choo. By chance, Lolly checks in to the resort where Pete is staying. Missed connections abound (Pete appears in the backgrounds), but coincidence continues as Pete and Lolly meet on the train home and Sammy/Choo-choo becomes the conduit that stirs up a happy ending for all—at Lolly & Pete’s Diner. Busily detailed and cartoonish illustrations play up the humor and silliness: Sammy sports a blue cap, leash and sunglasses; Pete wears the same sunglasses, a small derby and mustache fringe. A fun scrambled story—no baloney. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8109-9350-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2007
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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