bookshelf

MR. BOHM AND THE HERRING

Name: MR. BOHM AND THE HERRING
Author: Peter Cohen
ISBN: 91-29-62056-2

by Peter Cohen & illustrated by Olof Landström & translated by Richard E. Fisher ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 30, 1992

bookshelf

Mr. Bohm, whimsically depicted as an oddly shaped little man with vacant spectacles and an anxious brow, likes to ponder childlike questions: Why does the dog choose that tree? Could a fish be taught to live on land? In the spirit of inquiry, he puts a herring in an aquarium and, by degrees, takes the water out, kindly keeping the fish moist as he shows it how to crawl. The fish gets quite adept; Mr. Bohm even takes it on walks, but one day it slips through a hole in the pier and returns to the water. Can it still swim? Mr. Bohm wonders... Inspired by a 19th-century anecdote, the wry story makes most sense on its philosophical level, though children will enjoy the foolish queries. Set in simple, deftly designed and painted backgrounds, Landstrîm's amiably caricatured gentleman is endearing. An offbeat tale, worth trying with children who also like to wonder. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 30, 1992

ISBN: 91-29-62056-2

Page Count: 36

Publisher: R&S/Farrar, Straus & Giroux

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1992

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

bookshelf

A DOG NAMED SAM

by Janice Boland & illustrated by G. Brian Karas ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1996

bookshelf

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

bookshelf

BERRY MAGIC

by Teri Sloat & Betty Huffman & illustrated by Teri Sloat ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2004

bookshelf

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)