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MAGIC CARPET

Name: MAGIC CARPET
Author: Pat Brisson
ISBN: 0-02-714340-6

by Pat Brisson & illustrated by Amy Schwartz ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 30, 1991

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When Elizabeth asks Aunt Agatha how her pretty carpet got to her from China, where it was made, it's the beginning of a game for the two of them, providing an imaginative answer in which tall tale is creatively blended with fact. Part of the pleasure here lies in the animating friendship between aunt and niece; part lies in the specifics the two concoct to lead each other on in their collaborative story: the truck that carries the carpet is not just a ``truck'' but ``an eighteen-wheel semi'' whose driver wears ``a jade ring on the pinky of his right hand.'' Once it's in the US, they decide that the truck stops only in places that begin with ``S''—an atlas helps here, but the dozens of other amusing details are all their own invention. Schwartz catches the ebullient flavor of this spirited exchange in art that is as fresh and lighthearted as the text. Good fun; good model for more freewheeling make-believe adventures. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Aug. 30, 1991

ISBN: 0-02-714340-6

Page Count: 32

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1991

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
THEY'RE HEROES, TOO
by Pat Brisson ; illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan

- BOOK REVIEW
COMMON CRITTERS
by Pat Brisson ; illustrated by Dan Tavis

- BOOK REVIEW
BEFORE WE EAT
by Pat Brisson ; illustrated by Mary Azarian

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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)