This cute and clever sequel is the story of the Gingerbread Boy’s younger sister. Rationalizing that a sweet girl surely would not run away from them, the lonely old couple again attempts a gingerbread child. But she has other ideas: “I’ll run and I’ll run / With a leap and a twirl. / You can’t catch me, / I’m the Gingerbread Girl!” As she runs through town, she captures the interest and appetite of many, but she just spouts witty poetry and sings her trademark refrain. At the river, she accepts a ride on the fox’s tail, moves to his back as the water creeps higher and even climbs onto his head. But in one cunning move, she masters the fox and leads her entourage back to the old couple’s house where they bake gingerbread for everyone and are never lonely again. Ernst’s facial expressions are spot-on. Her illustrations reflect the country setting in both the muted colors and the gingham pattern of the borders and backgrounds. A wonderful addition to other happy-ending, empowered-girl, fairytale remakes. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-525-47667-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2006
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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