Ward’s bucolic Galahad, Farmer George, makes a triumphant return, this time rescuing a swine in distress. A forlorn piglet named Perry finds himself carried off to Farmer George’s haven for wayward animals in this cheery continuation of the popular series (Farmer George and the Snowstorm, see below, etc.). Alas, even the cozy comforts of a convivial pigsty fail to soothe the timid shoat. Each time Farmer George deposits the wily youngster in the sty, the piglet turns up in the farmhouse. So ensues a comical game of cat and mouse—or, perhaps more aptly, farmer and pig—as Perry stays for tea, returns for the night, and demands a midnight story. The ever-obliging Farmer George cheerfully cossets the distraught pip-squeak. However, the sleepless nights eventually take their toll and the farmer becomes too bleary-eyed to continue. A little friendly encouragement from the other piglets saves the day as Ward closes his tale on the merry note of little piggies—including Perry—frolicking in the mud. Droll, full-color illustrations neatly capture the hilarity of Farmer George’s predicament. Subtly included in the pictures for devoted fans are plenty of wry references to George’s previous adventures; Dotty hangs a hedgehog towel on the line, a book Perry reads features Clarrie the hen, and so forth. Readers can try to match the muddy piggy pair in an end of tale activity included in the final pages. Pure homespun fun. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2002
ISBN: 1-86205-521-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Pavilion/Trafalgar
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2001
A nice but not requisite purchase.
A retelling of the classic fairy tale in board-book format and with a Mexican setting.
Though simplified for a younger audience, the text still relates the well-known tale: mean-spirited stepmother, spoiled stepsisters, overworked Cinderella, fairy godmother, glass slipper, charming prince, and, of course, happily-ever-after. What gives this book its flavor is the artwork. Within its Mexican setting, the characters are olive-skinned and dark-haired. Cultural references abound, as when a messenger comes carrying a banner announcing a “FIESTA” in beautiful papel picado. Cinderella is the picture of beauty, with her hair up in ribbons and flowers and her typically Mexican many-layered white dress. The companion volume, Snow White, set in Japan and illustrated by Misa Saburi, follows the same format. The simplified text tells the story of the beautiful princess sent to the forest by her wicked stepmother to be “done away with,” the dwarves that take her in, and, eventually, the happily-ever-after ending. Here too, what gives the book its flavor is the artwork. The characters wear traditional clothing, and the dwarves’ house has the requisite shoji screens, tatami mats and cherry blossoms in the garden. The puzzling question is, why the board-book presentation? Though the text is simplified, it’s still beyond the board-book audience, and the illustrations deserve full-size books.
A nice but not requisite purchase. (Board book/fairy tale. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-7915-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Through quick thinking and personal sacrifice, a wise old Japanese farmer saves the people of his village from a devastating tsunami in this simple yet striking story based on Lafcadio Hearn’s “A Living God.” Ojiisan lives in a cottage on a mountain overlooking the village and sea. One day, villagers gather to celebrate the rice harvest, but Ojiisan stays home thinking “something does not feel right.” When the earth quakes and the sea darkens and runs away from the land, Ojiisan realizes a tsunami approaches. Fearing the oblivious villagers will be swept away, Ojiisan torches his rice fields to attract attention, and they respond, barely escaping the monster wave. Rendered in gouache, pastel and collage, Young’s illustrations cleverly combine natural textures, bold colors and abstract shapes to convey compelling images of chaos and disaster as the rice fields burn and the wave rushes in. In one literally breathtaking double-page spread, an enormous wall of water engulfs the teeny seacoast village. A visually powerful and dramatic tribute to one man’s willingness to sacrifice everything for others. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-399-25006-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2008
BOOK REVIEW
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