Where can a traveler find a giant donut, a witch’s house and a space station that serves French fries? Nana tells her grandson she grew up in “Dream Town,” where these marvels actually existed, but he doesn’t believe her. Readers are then taken on a time-travel journey to this 1950s fairy-tale world with the young Nana: “I could turn the corner and find an ocean liner, / or a fortress guarded by Assyrian soldiers, / or buildings with fish fins sticking out of them.” In the end, the boy discovers that these attractions (in some form at least) do or did exist—in Los Angeles. A two-page photo section documents the historic landmarks (though the correlation of fantasy to actual building isn’t always clear), and an author’s note explains the evolution of madcap monuments in general, from the circular Capitol Records building (“a stack of records high as the sky”) to the Spadena House (the “witches’ house”). Adults nostalgic for the magic of old Los Angeles may be the biggest fans of this whimsical ride down memory lane. (Picture book. 7-10)
Pub Date: March 1, 2006
ISBN: 1-59714-022-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Heyday
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2006
Trickling, bubbling, swirling, rushing, a river flows down from its mountain beginnings, past peaceful country and bustling city on its way to the sea. Hooper (The Drop in My Drink, 1998, etc.) artfully evokes the water’s changing character as it transforms from “milky-cold / rattling-bold” to a wide, slow “sliding past mudflats / looping through marshes” to the end of its journey. Willey, best known for illustrating Geraldine McCaughrean’s spectacular folk-tale collections, contributes finely detailed scenes crafted in shimmering, intricate blues and greens, capturing mountain’s chill, the bucolic serenity of passing pastures, and a sense of mystery in the water’s shadowy depths. Though Hooper refers to “the cans and cartons / and bits of old wood” being swept along, there’s no direct conservation agenda here (for that, see Debby Atwell’s River, 1999), just appreciation for the river’s beauty and being. (Picture book/nonfiction. 7-9)
Pub Date: June 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-7636-0792-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2000
Trisha is ready to start at a new school, where no one will know she has dyslexia. At first, she is heartbroken to be in Miss Peterson’s special-ed class, aka, “the junkyard.” But Miss Peterson treats the children as anything but junk, showing them that everyone has a unique talent. Polacco’s trademark style is fully present here; her sensitively drawn alter ego shines with depth of feeling. When bullying occurs, Miss Peterson proves her students are worthwhile by planning a junkyard field trip, where they find valuable objects to be used in exciting ways. Trisha’s group repairs a plane, and the class buys an engine for it. Then a beloved class member dies, and the children must find a way to honor him. While the plot meanders somewhat, the characters are appealing, believable and provide a fine portrayal of a truly special class. Children will be drawn in by the story’s warmth and gentle humor and will leave with a spark of inspiration, an appreciation of individual differences and a firm anti-bullying message, all underscored by the author’s note that concludes the book. (Picture book. 7-10)
Pub Date: July 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-399-25078-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2010
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