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HOW A SHIRT GREW IN THE FIELD

Name: HOW A SHIRT GREW IN THE FIELD
Author: Konstantin Ushinsky
ISBN: 0-395-59761-7

by Konstantin Ushinsky & adapted by Marguerita Rudolph & illustrated by Erika Weihs ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 21, 1992

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A 19th-century Russian ``classic,'' originally published in this adaptation in 1967 with illustrations by Yaroslava. The story makes an interesting contrast to Beskow's Pelle's New Suit (1929) and de Paola's Charlie Needs a Cloak (1973): Little Vasya, far from doing the work himself, has no idea how flax is planted, harvested, and processed until he watches his mother and sisters labor through a whole year to complete his beautifully embroidered garment. The details are fascinating (the linen is left out all winter to bleach and soften), as described and as depicted in the gracefully composed illustrations; Weihs's particulars, selected with admirable economy, evoke the Russian setting while her figures and landscape are rendered with a lovely simplicity. An outstanding new presentation for a fine story. Useful note on flax. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 21, 1992

ISBN: 0-395-59761-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Clarion Books

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1992

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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A DOG NAMED SAM

by Janice Boland & illustrated by G. Brian Karas ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1996

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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BERRY MAGIC

by Teri Sloat & Betty Huffman & illustrated by Teri Sloat ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2004

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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)