A misguided effort in need of a more enlightening text and more polished illustrations.
A boy named Thomas wants to go to heaven.
Thomas is introduced obliquely as a child with special needs, as he appears to be about 8 but still plays with blocks and “loved to spin in wobbly circles for hours while reciting the alphabet.” When he appears at the dinner table with his packed suitcase, ready to go “to the Kingdom of Heaven,” he opens it to reveal food, clothing, and money for those in need as well as a variety of items (including a mustard seed and a trowel) that relate to several parables of Jesus from the Christian Bible. Unfortunately, the relevant parables are not explained in the text or referenced in a concluding note. Seeing the collection, Thomas’ father explains that he is “smack dab already in the Kingdom of Heaven” due to his “good and giving heart.” The family leaves their dinner at home and goes off to serve food and “tell the others,” perhaps at a church dinner or homeless mission, again not specified. The minimal text is insufficiently developed, demanding pre-existing understanding of the parables. Soft-focus illustrations in colored pencil and watercolor are inconsistent in portraying the ages of the characters, and the illustration of Thomas on the cover does not match those in the book. Thomas and his parents and older sister are white; his younger sister has Asian features. A final page for adults offers ways Christian families can assist others.
A misguided effort in need of a more enlightening text and more polished illustrations. (Picture book/religion. 5-9)Pub Date: April 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-61261-776-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Paraclete Press
Review Posted Online: March 5, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2017
A photo essay about six-year-old Ling Rinpoche, a young Tibetan Buddhist monk, said to be the reincarnation of the late tutor of the present Dalai Lama. While living in Dharamsala, India, home of the young lama, Raimondo received permission to interview and photograph him. She presents Rinpoche's daily activities, the adults who surround him, and his travels to his monastery and to New Delhi for a once-a-year vacation. The author clearly explains Rinpoche's role as ``cultural caretaker''/teacher of Tibetan spiritual ways; unfortunately, her explanation of reincarnation is less adequate. The book opens with a letter for adults from the Dalai Lama and concludes with a message to American children from Rinpoche. The artistically composed color photos depict an appealing, hard-working child/student priest. Since they were taken using naturally available light, they are sometimes dark; also, they're not always well placed in relation to the text. A map and note about Tibet are (of necessity) ethnocentric, and don't reflect the political reality of Tibet as an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. An interesting and unusual portrait, but not fully satisfying. Pronunciation of names is given in the text. (Nonfiction. 5-9)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1994
ISBN: 0-590-46167-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1994
An Oglala Lakota, Montileaux first created the ledger-style paintings (flat, two-dimensional) in this offering for exhibit at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre, S.D. The illustrations are characterized by clear vibrant colors and characters that are portrayed in dramatic poses and facial expressions. The exhibit committee selected the traditional text that accompanies the illustrations in this telling of how the Lakota People were tricked into leaving the Underworld through the Wind Cave to live on the surface of the earth. They became “the Ordinary,” or Lakota. Sensing that his people needed help to survive, the holy man, Tatanka, transformed himself into a buffalo and sacrificed his powers in order to provide food and warmth to the Lakota people. Both the English and the original Lakota words are used side-by-side on each page. A beautiful rendering of story and illustration that needs to be in every library interested in building the diversity of their collection. (Picture book/mythology. 5-7)
Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2006
ISBN: 0-9749195-8-6
Page Count: 48
Publisher: SDSHS Press
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2006
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