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MAGGIE'S WHOPPER

Name: MAGGIE'S WHOPPER
Author: Sally Hobart Alexander
ISBN: 0-02-700201-2

by Sally Hobart Alexander & illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 1992

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Maggie, seven, who enjoys fishing with Great-uncle Ezra, hopes to outdo her older brother by catching a real ``whopper.'' Meanwhile, despite her uncle's reassurance, she worries about meeting old Thatch, a bear they've sometimes sighted near their pond. Uncle Ezra suggests that the bear is ``an old man...like me'' and may even have died, but Thatch turns up in full vigor, breaking through a screen to steal a pie. Later, Maggie catches her whopper just as Thatch reappears, looking none too friendly. Uncle Ezra is visibly afraid, but Maggie manages to divert the bear by throwing him the fish. Several themes are introduced here—Uncle Ezra's frailty, coexistence with the bear, Maggie's rivalry with her offstage brother—but none is really developed; instead, Maggie gets her heroic moment. Still, a warmhearted vignette, attractively reflected in Ray's glowing generalized illustrations. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 31, 1992

ISBN: 0-02-700201-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1992

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
SHE TOUCHED THE WORLD
by Sally Hobart Alexander and Robert Alexander

- BOOK REVIEW
MOM'S BEST FRIEND
by Sally Hobart Alexander & photographed by George Ancona

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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)