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THE NAMING

Name: THE NAMING
Author: Margaret Greaves
ISBN: 0-15-200534-X

by Margaret Greaves & illustrated by Pauline Baynes ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1993

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In pairs, the animals come for their names, each kind also receiving an appropriate litany of traits (``Lion'' is ``splendor,'' ``strength,'' ``courage,'' ``danger'') and a benediction: ``Go, and be blessed''; only the dogs elect to stay with Adam, where they are soon discovered by the fleas (``leaper....vexation''). When all the others are named, the unicorn—the only mateless creature—arrives alone, with tears in its eyes; it is comforted with a special blessing: ``You will live always...sought and glimpsed but never captured.'' The well- told story comes vividly to life in its lovely illustrations. As she has for several biblical stories (Let There Be Light, 1991, etc.), Baynes uses gracefully telling lines and gleaming color to portray dozens of appealing animals, gathered into lively, beautifully balanced compositions sparkling with flowers like medieval tapestries. A charming tale and an intriguing dramatization of the power of names: a winner where unicorn stories are in demand (though this one will have to be pointed out: it's not on the jacket). (Picture book. 3-8)

Pub Date: March 1, 1993

ISBN: 0-15-200534-X

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Harcourt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1993

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
THE ICE JOURNEY
by Margaret Greaves & illustrated by Alison Claire Darke

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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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BEDTIME FOR BATMAN

From the DC Super Heroes series , Vol. 1

by Michael Dahl ; illustrated by Ethen Beavers ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2016

This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom.

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Holy bedtime, Batman!

In a sleepy-looking neighborhood under a dusky cerulean sky, a young, brown-haired, white boy goes through the motions of getting ready for bed: he brushes his teeth, takes a bath, picks up his toys, and feeds his fish. In a parallel visual narrative, beckoned by the cat's-eye–yellow bat-signal, Batman keeps Gotham safe for another night by catching crooks, locking them away, and avenging those who have been wronged. Though the two characters are quite different, through a carefully flexible narrative, Dahl and Beavers weave a convincing tale of just how similar they might be. “It’s time to take care of business” describes the child’s trip to the potty and Batman’s dive down a manhole equally well, for instance. Beavers' art is visually striking and vibrantly hued, perfect for keeping young eyes glued to each page. Dahl's economical text is cadenced with a gentle lilt, just right for a bedtime read-aloud. Young fans of the caped crusader will delight in spying their favorite characters. In the already-overstuffed bedtime-book market, this is certainly a niche read, but it hits its mark well, delivering fun without darkness. A “bedtime checklist” at the end aptly includes “story time.”

This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom. (Picture book. 3-8)