A rare jewel of a tale that asserts the place of Indigenous Caribbean lore within the picture-book tradition.
A Kalinago girl meets the Great Spirit Serpent.
Natari lives in pre-colonial Dominica, in Snake Cou village, seemingly based on the real-life Kalinago settlement of Sineku. Plucky and adventurous, she loves to swim, fish, hunt, and more, activities other girls deem unladylike. Natari also loves hearing stories about the mysterious Spirit Serpent, who lives in a sea cave filled with treasure and protects her people from “hurricanes, famine, and invaders.” Only tribal leaders can safely enter his cave to have their wishes granted, and after Natari performs an act of bravery that earns her the respect and admiration of her tribe, she thinks, “why can’t I be a leader?” She secretly visits the serpent only to discover he has a wish of his own—to have a human friend—and when he transforms into a kindly boy, a magical night on the beach ensues. Based on the ancient legend of Bakwa, a giant snake that emerged from the Atlantic Ocean and proclaimed itself guardian of Dominica’s Indigenous people, this transporting picture book is engrossing, with atmospheric language. Daley’s cinematic, color-drenched illustrations revitalize Kalinago artifacts and symbols and are the stuff of animated blockbuster movies. Electrifying are moonlight scenes of Natari ascending a natural staircase resembling L’Escalier Tête Chie, a real-life landform said to have been formed when Bakwa climbed a cliff, and facing the majestic snake in its glittering domain. All characters are brown skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A rare jewel of a tale that asserts the place of Indigenous Caribbean lore within the picture-book tradition. (Picture book/folktale. 6-9)Pub Date: May 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-4788-7517-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Reycraft Books
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2022
In spite of the book’s flaws, dragons are very appealing, and tales for young audiences that model the scientific method are...
Zoey discovers that she can see magical creatures that might need her help.
That’s a good thing because her mother has been caring for the various beasts since childhood, but now she’s leaving on a business trip so the work will fall to Zoey. Most people (like Zoey’s father) can’t see the magical creatures, so Zoey, who appears in illustrations to be black, will have to experiment with their care by problem-solving using the scientific method to determine appropriate treatment and feeding. When a tiny, sick dragon shows up on her doorstep, she runs an experiment and determines that marshmallows appear to be the proper food. Unfortunately, she hadn’t done enough research beforehand to understand that although dragons might like marshmallows, they might not be the best food for a sick, fire-breathing baby. Although the incorporation of important STEM behaviors is a plus, the exposition is mildly clunky, with little character development and stilted dialogue. Many pages are dense with large-print text, related in Zoey’s not especially childlike voice. However, the inclusion in each chapter of a couple of attractive black-and-white illustrations of round-faced people and Zoey’s mischievous cat helps break up the narrative.
In spite of the book’s flaws, dragons are very appealing, and tales for young audiences that model the scientific method are nice to see. (Fantasy. 6-9)Pub Date: March 14, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-943147-08-3
Page Count: 96
Publisher: The Innovation Press
Review Posted Online: Dec. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
As this begins a series, readers can be sure that Princess Emma, her cousin, Prince Ben, and the gnomes who train dragons...
Princess Emma doesn’t like pink and would rather kick a soccer ball than dance, and so beginneth the lessons.
She’s in her first year at the Royal Princess Academy, where her best friend is Rapunzel. Emma fears for her team in the All-School Princess Contest, which does start badly for her: Her chocolate volcano cake, while delicious, explodes all over everyone, and she doesn’t feel the rocks under her mattress. But Emma saves the day single-handedly when she is tasked to “create a happy ending” and rescues Rapunzel, Alex and Moriah from their various difficulties (Rapunzel, her hair newly cut, is trapped in a tower). What Emma really wants is to study dragons, which have been forbidden freedom of the kingdom because it is thought that they are dangerous for the environment. But when her class finally gets to visit the dragon caverns, she has another adventure and convinces the kingdom that letting the dragons roam free is better for both forest and waters. After a birthday surprise, Emma writes a letter to the princesses who will follow, reminding them that they can write “our OWN stories.” It’s all very affirming, and the illustrations are squiggly and cute, but it is awfully preachy.
As this begins a series, readers can be sure that Princess Emma, her cousin, Prince Ben, and the gnomes who train dragons and riders will be seen again. (Fantasy. 6-9)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3750-1
Page Count: 112
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: July 25, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2012
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