In the coastal village of Belize, a boy takes over the tradition of basket weaving when his beloved, infirm grandfather can no longer carry on. Grandfather Carpio laments to his grandson Tavio that young people no longer learn from the elders ``how to do the dances and sing the old songs.'' All the old ways, in fact, are in danger of being forgotten. The children of the village grow up and move to cities or go to work for companies that destroy the rain forest. Carpio is the only one who knows how to weave the new cassava squeezer that the village needs to make bread. During Carpio's last days, he teaches Tavio his trade, for the boy has decided to become the new village basket weaver. London (Fireflies, Fireflies, Light My Way, 1996, etc.) makes Tavio's decision inevitable but not predictable; Tavio is tugged, as readers will be, by the beauty of the old ways. Crespo effectively recreates the tropical warmth of the Caribbean—the waves seem to lap at the shores. A thoughtful tale about the importance of keeping traditions alive. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: June 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-525-45314-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
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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