The spunky heroine in this version of an English folk tale outfoxes a witch and saves her family from destitution. When a family’s savings is stolen, one of two daughters sets out to find a job. Nothing is available in town, so she sets out for the country. Along the way, she comes upon an oven full of bread, a cow that needs milking, and a tree laden with ripe apples. They cry out for help; she pulls out the bread, milks the cow, and picks the apples. When she ends up working for the witch who robbed her parents of their purse, the girl snatches the purse and runs home, aided by those she helped. The other sister sets out, hoping for similar triumphs, but her neglect of those who asked for help leads to her downfall. Harvey’s paintings, which bless both daughters with pluck rather than cuteness, add an unexpected expressiveness to a well- known tale: the second sister is oblivious, wearing Walkman headphones; the bright red moneybag teases the characters, flapping its long tails wherever it goes. (Picture book/folklore. 6-10)
Pub Date: Nov. 15, 1998
ISBN: 0-8234-1354-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1998
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
At ``Step 2'' in the useful ``Step into Reading'' series: an admirably clear, well-balanced presentation that centers on wolves' habits and pack structure. Milton also addresses their endangered status, as well as their place in fantasy, folklore, and the popular imagination. Attractive realistic watercolors on almost every page. Top-notch: concise, but remarkably extensive in its coverage. A real bargain. (Nonfiction/Easy reader. 6-10)
Pub Date: April 1, 1992
ISBN: 0-679-91052-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1992
BOOK REVIEW
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