Once again, Wrightson calls to life the power of Australian mythology to create a poetic and beautiful novel about the interrelationships of all living beings. Blue, a dog who lives with his fisherman master, is increasingly bothered by a war between bush rats and bandicoots, as well as by the sudden, mysterious presence of Red Dog. Much seems out of joint in this remote area of Australia as more humans have moved in and encroached on the animals' territory. One dark night, the animals call on Keeting, an ancient moon spirit who appears as a tall, dark man; he traces their common heritage as Eminent Men and defines the problem: the presence of humans have driven the flying foxes (fruit bats) from their habitat and upset the ecosystem's natural balance—the animals must save themselves by a cooperative effort. This they do, in a three-night odyssey full of wonder and mischief, all unknown and unappreciated by the humans around them. Moon Dark is a powerful metaphor for strife and accommodation on any level—front the smallest community to the global ecosystem. Rich with the names of exotic animals and mythological references, it all comes clear in context for the reader falling under its ironic spell. As always, Wrightson's writing is economical, evocative, pungently funny, and richly satisfying.
Pub Date: April 1, 1988
ISBN: 0091696011
Page Count: 147
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: May 11, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1988
A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift.
A paean to teachers and their surrogates everywhere.
This gentle ode to a teacher’s skill at inspiring, encouraging, and being a role model is spoken, presumably, from a child’s viewpoint. However, the voice could equally be that of an adult, because who can’t look back upon teachers or other early mentors who gave of themselves and offered their pupils so much? Indeed, some of the self-aware, self-assured expressions herein seem perhaps more realistic as uttered from one who’s already grown. Alternatively, readers won’t fail to note that this small book, illustrated with gentle soy-ink drawings and featuring an adult-child bear duo engaged in various sedentary and lively pursuits, could just as easily be about human parent- (or grandparent-) child pairs: some of the softly colored illustrations depict scenarios that are more likely to occur within a home and/or other family-oriented setting. Makes sense: aren’t parents and other close family members children’s first teachers? This duality suggests that the book might be best shared one-on-one between a nostalgic adult and a child who’s developed some self-confidence, having learned a thing or two from a parent, grandparent, older relative, or classroom instructor.
A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-943200-08-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Compendium
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
Broccoli: No way is James going to eat broccoli. “It’s disgusting,” says James. Well then, James, says his father, let’s consider the alternatives: some wormy dirt, perhaps, some stinky socks, some pre-chewed gum? James reconsiders the broccoli, but—milk? “Blech,” says James. Right, says his father, who needs strong bones? You’ll be great at hide-and-seek, though not so great at baseball and kickball and even tickling the dog’s belly. James takes a mouthful. So it goes through lumpy oatmeal, mushroom lasagna and slimy eggs, with James’ father parrying his son’s every picky thrust. And it is fun, because the father’s retorts are so outlandish: the lasagna-making troll in the basement who will be sent back to the rat circus, there to endure the rodent’s vicious bites; the uneaten oatmeal that will grow and grow and probably devour the dog that the boy won’t be able to tickle any longer since his bones are so rubbery. Schneider’s watercolors catch the mood of gentle ribbing, the looks of bewilderment and surrender and the deadpanned malarkey. It all makes James’ father’s last urging—“I was just going to say that you might like them if you tried them”—wholly fresh and unexpected advice. (Early reader. 5-9)
Pub Date: May 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-547-14956-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: April 4, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2011
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