A popular European radio station has ended its broadcasts for many years by sharing one wish from a child each night. Through simple text and vigorously lined, childlike drawings, 20 of these wishes are now gathered and presented for a larger audience. Some are funny (“I wish that I could fly to Mars and look for alien bones”), some are touching (“I wish that everybody in the world has a home”), some are perhaps unintentionally revealing (“I wish that during the night nobody has an accident”) and some are poetic (“I wish that the moon doesn’t lose me when I sleep”). Most poignant, however, is that all are universal, if not in exact action, then in emotion. Wolfermann’s bright colors and roughly scribbled illustrations complement the innocence of these children’s wishes as they float out over the airwaves or are made on a bright star. Certainly not an action-packed read-aloud, but it's an endearing exercise worth repeating while tucking in the covers at night. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7358-2331-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: Sept. 1, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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