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GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT

Name: GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT
Author: Mark Shannon
ISBN: 0-399-22446-7

by Mark Shannon & illustrated by David Shannon ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 15, 1994

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Gawain, youngest of King Arthur's knights, is tired of the ribbing his inexperience elicits from the others at the Round Table. A bit precipitately he accepts a challenge from the colossal and horrid Green Knight of the North Country: an exchange of axe blows to the neck, Gawain to go first, the Green Knight to follow if he survives. Needless to say, he does, and he graces Gawain a year and a day, at which time Gawain must go to the North Country to meet his fate. This wonderful Celtic tale, a celebration of passion and honesty and courage, is given a decent retelling by arts journalist Mark Shannon, targeted at a much younger audience than the complete version. David Shannon's illustrations are technically impressive—with their deep shadows and blurred lines—but are too soft and moody to fit the reduced text. The text and paintings may be slightly odd fellows, but the story shines through, never to grow old. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 15, 1994

ISBN: 0-399-22446-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1994

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)