FIVE BAD BOYS, BILLY QUE, AND THE DUSTDOBBIN

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FIVE BAD BOYS, BILLY QUE, AND THE DUSTDOBBIN

Name: FIVE BAD BOYS, BILLY QUE, AND THE DUSTDOBBIN
Author: Susan Patron
ISBN: 0-531-05989-8

by Susan Patron & illustrated by Mike Shenon ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1992

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``The one thing Billy Que had in common with the Dustdobbin who lived under his bed was this: they both hated brooms. So Billy Que never swept, and...the two of them got along fine.'' But then one morning the old man inadvertently steps on the fuzzy little dust creature and—like the traditional household spirits he resembles—Dustdobbin exacts retribution: he reduces Billy to ``pipsqueak'' size, and so he must stay until he's receives five unsolicited gifts. Those bumptious boys from Patron's Burgoo Stew (1991) happen by; appealing creatively to their naturally contrary natures, Billy elicits gifts that not only suit his doll-like size (bottlecap hat, folded gum-wrapper cup, etc.) but are just what might be found under a boy's bed (or a solitary old man's), along with the dust. Shenon's bold, witty illustrations are perfect for this comical, expertly honed story, whose brisk, colorful language begs to be shared aloud. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1992

ISBN: 0-531-05989-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Orchard

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1992

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
BEHIND THE MASKS
by Susan Patron

- BOOK REVIEW
LUCKY FOR GOOD
by Susan Patron & illustrated by Erin McGuire

- BOOK REVIEW
LUCKY BREAKS
by Susan Patron and illustrated by Matt Phelan

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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)