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THE DAY THE STONES WALKED

Name: THE DAY THE STONES WALKED
Author: T.A. Barron
ISBN: 978-0-399-24263-2

A TALE OF EASTER ISLAND

by T.A. Barron & illustrated by William Low ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2007

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Set on Easter Island, this text-heavy tale imagines the impact of a tsunami on the ancient inhabitants. Told through the eyes of a young boy, the day’s events unfold quickly. At his mother’s request, Pico runs up to warn his father of an impending storm. Obviously disdainful of his father’s preoccupation with carving the enormous statues of their ancestors, Pico delivers his message and heads home. When he sees the huge wave coming and realizes the threat is real, however, he tries to return to his father. Swept up and tumbled about, Pico is saved by catching hold of—or being held by?—one of the great stone figures. Despite their differences, Pico’s father is clearly overjoyed at his survival. Low’s computer-generated illustrations, resembling oil paintings, perfectly capture the ponderous weight of the stone statues and the threatening darkness of the impending storm. While the story may have the potential to engage thoughtful listeners, the appended author’s note seems clearly aimed at environmentally conscious adults. Earnest but ultimately unlikely to get the message across. (Picture book. 6-8)

Pub Date: May 1, 2007

ISBN: 978-0-399-24263-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Philomel

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2007

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY | CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
GIANT
by T.A. Barron

- BOOK REVIEW
ATLANTIS LOST
by T.A. Barron

- BOOK REVIEW
ATLANTIS IN PERIL
by T.A. Barron

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RAPUNZEL

adapted by Rachel Isadora & illustrated by Rachel Isadora ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2008

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Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your dreads! Isadora once again plies her hand using colorful, textured collages to depict her fourth fairy tale relocated to Africa. The narrative follows the basic story line: Taken by an evil sorceress at birth, Rapunzel is imprisoned in a tower; Rapunzel and the prince “get married” in the tower and she gets pregnant. The sorceress cuts off Rapunzel’s hair and tricks the prince, who throws himself from the tower and is blinded by thorns. The terse ending states: “The prince led Rapunzel and their twins to his kingdom, where they were received with great joy and lived happily every after.” Facial features, clothing, dreadlocks, vultures and the prince riding a zebra convey a generic African setting, but at times, the mixture of patterns and textures obfuscates the scenes. The textile and grain characteristic of the hewn art lacks the elegant romance of Zelinksy’s Caldecott version. Not a first purchase, but useful in comparing renditions to incorporate a multicultural aspect. (Picture book/fairy tale. 6-8)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2008

ISBN: 978-0-399-24772-9

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2008

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
DO I HAVE TO WEAR A COAT?
by Rachel Isadora ; illustrated by Rachel Isadora

- BOOK REVIEW
MY DOG LAUGHS
by Rachel Isadora ; illustrated by Rachel Isadora

- BOOK REVIEW
I JUST WANT TO SAY GOOD NIGHT
by Rachel Isadora ; illustrated by Rachel Isadora

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BUBBA, THE COWBOY PRINCE

A FRACTURED TEXAS TALE

by Helen Ketteman & illustrated by James Warhola ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 1997

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A Cinderella parody features the off-the-wall, whang-dang Texas hyperbole of Ketteman (The Year of No More Corn, 1993, etc.) and the insouciance of Warhola, who proves himself only too capable of creating a fairy godcow; that she's so appealingly whimsical makes it easy to accept the classic tale's inversions. The protagonist is Bubba, appropriately downtrodden and overworked by his wicked stepdaddy and loathsome brothers Dwayne and Milton, who spend their days bossing him around. The other half of the happy couple is Miz Lurleen, who owns ``the biggest spread west of the Brazos.'' She craves male companionship to help her work the place, ``and it wouldn't hurt if he was cute as a cow's ear, either.'' There are no surprises in this version except in the hilarious way the premise plays itself out and in Warhola's delightful visual surprises. When Lurleen tracks the bootless Bubba down, ``Dwayne and Milton and their wicked daddy threw chicken fits.'' Bubba and babe, hair as big as a Texas sun, ride off to a life of happy ranching, and readers will be proud to have been along for the courtship. (Picture book/folklore. 6-8)