The wedding rituals of Alfonso and Luisa, a young Mexican couple, are observed through the wondering eyes of a young Oaxacan village girl. Van Laan (Sleep, Sleep, Sleep, 1995, etc.) creates a singsong conversation between the girl and her grandmother from which readers learn Spanish words and their translations: ``It is time for los pavos.'' ``The what, Abuela?'' ``The turkeys, Maria. The dance of the turkeys is such fun to see!'' The girl and her grandmother watch and comment on each rite: the sweeping of the streets, the exchanging of vows, the playing of music, and the shooting off of fireworks. There is real warmth in the scenes of the Zapotecan villagers as they gather at the la iglesia (the church) in the square for the wedding; in every picture, newcomer Arroyo's illustrations reflect the artistic aspects of the culture in the colorful pottery, baskets, mats, and vibrantly colored sculpted animals that Oaxacans sell. A delightful, lyrical look at a special occasion. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: May 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-316-89626-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1996
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
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