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CURSE IN REVERSE

Name: CURSE IN REVERSE
Author: Tom Coppinger
ISBN: 0-689-83096-3

by Tom Coppinger & illustrated by Dirk Zimmer ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2003

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Nothing, including “the curse in reverse,” is quite what it seems in this quirky original fairy tale. An old witch, in search of a place to sleep and a bite to eat on a winter night, is turned away twice before finding a warm welcome from a poor couple. She gives the selfish ones the “curse of the silent night,” and the “curse of the one-eyed jack,” and spits on both their doors. The poor couple who have given her their only bed are dismayed to receive in thanks the “curse of the one-armed man.” Zimmer’s folk-like pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations hold surprises, and tease with tricks of figure and ground. Carrion-eating crows, peeping faces, prowling cats, hidden mice, and a baby poking his finger into his father’s eye will delight the observant reader. There’s wry humor in both the text and the illustrations, and the working out of the curses will keep the reader’s interest to the very last page. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: June 1, 2003

ISBN: 0-689-83096-3

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2003

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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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)