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MY WICKED STEPMOTHER

Name: MY WICKED STEPMOTHER
Author: Norman Leach
ISBN: 0-02-754700-0

by Norman Leach & illustrated by Jane Browne ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 1993

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Though his new stepmother, Annie, is unfailingly kind and tries to share Tom's imaginative games when friends Jack and David put him down (``Superman's boring! I've got a Batman cape''), Tom refuses to respond (``I don't smile at wicked stepmothers''). Even after she stands up to the rude boys, who almost spoil Tom's birthday, he refuses to give her a goodnight kiss—until Annie's tears melt the barrier and the two become friends at last. The story (Leach's first; he has recently died) is simply told, with vocabulary referring to witches (``she might turn me into a frog'') adroitly conveying the feelings of a little boy who enjoys the world of fantasy. Browne, whose clean designs and precise modeling echo her renowned husband Anthony's art, brings unusual insight to her appealing watercolors, dressing Annie in black, slyly incorporating other witchy details (a spider plant), and tenderly revealing emotion through posture as well as facial expressions. Pair this with Rosenberg's Monster Mama (p. 153) for a provocative contrast. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 31, 1993

ISBN: 0-02-754700-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1993

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)