PLB 0-7868-2186-8 Luz and her beloved grandfather (The Farolitos of Christmas, 1995), or abuelo, return in the somber family story set in New Mexico. The two of them enjoy working on Luz’s homework, planning a garden, and going fishing. One spring day while they are fishing, a young boy falls into the stream and Luz’s grandfather must jump in to rescue him. He saves the boy, but catches a chill, gets pneumonia, and dies. Luz mourns him, and at Christmas time asks if she can take farolitos (paper bags with lighted candles set inside) to the cemetery to place around his grave. It launches a new tradition, complete with Christmas carols, in a joyful remembering of the dead. The story, though not as lyrical as the original, is readable and appealing. Gonzales provides flat, rather stiff portraits of the people of Luz’s village that can render dramatic scenes—e.g., the rescue—frozen. In other paintings, however, the stillness adds a kind of haunting beauty, as in the scenes in the cemetery, where the blue ground is lit by the glowing farolitos. (glossary) (Picture book. 6-9)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7868-0237-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The poster boy for relentless mischief-makers everywhere, first encountered in No, David! (1998), gives his weary mother a rest by going to school. Naturally, he’s tardy, and that’s but the first in a long string of offenses—“Sit down, David! Keep your hands to yourself! PAY ATTENTION!”—that culminates in an afterschool stint. Children will, of course, recognize every line of the text and every one of David’s moves, and although he doesn’t exhibit the larger- than-life quality that made him a tall-tale anti-hero in his first appearance, his round-headed, gap-toothed enthusiasm is still endearing. For all his disruptive behavior, he shows not a trace of malice, and it’ll be easy for readers to want to encourage his further exploits. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-590-48087-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A skirmish over a favorite stuffed rabbit nearly destroys a friendship and the toy itself, but well-timed physical and emotional bandaging saves the day. When a little boy moves in next door to a little girl they quickly becomes friends and start sharing toys. This works well for cars, trucks, bears, and balls, but when the boy shows up with a new stuffed rabbit, cooperation goes out the window. In the ensuing tug-of-rabbit, each child yanks on the poor bunny’s ears until the stitching gives way. Figuring out a way to repair the rabbit also eventually patches up the friendship. Minor battles rage in homes and preschools everywhere, so children and adults alike will appreciate this subtle example of a peaceful resolution to toy disputes. Jahn-Clough’s pleasantly stubby children convey both healthy loud-mouthed anger and substantial charm. (Picture book. 3-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-395-93545-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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