| MomŐs View:
ChildrenŐs Book Reviews by Paula Behr Hana in the Time of the Tulips, by Deborah Noyes, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (Candlewick Press) Ages: 6 to 11 Breathtaking and benchmark-raising illustrations in the style of the Dutch masters send us back to 17th-century Holland during the time of tulipomania, a countrywide obsession with tulips. Some flowers were as precious as gold. The author studied tulipomania and decided to write about this fascinating historical phenomenon from a childŐs perspective. Little Hana watches as her once doting father grows more and more distant. HanaŐs father is consumed by his work and spends less and less time with her. The beloved connecting rituals of playtime in the garden and kisses and smiles at bedtime gradually dwindle down to brief conversations and his worried frowns. The weed of his busyness with his tulip business threatens to overtake their sweet relationship. HollandŐs past seems to be repeating itself in our culture; with many economic and cultural pressures to work long hours, it can be quite a challenge to find the time for the focused attention that children thrive on. As material goods replace time together, it is a powerful tool to look at the absurdity of a tulip obsession and juxtapose it to our own material desires. HanaŐs repeated attempts to reconnect with her father and lift his material veil seem to fail. Yet change is inevitable and when the tulip market crashes, with a childŐs inner wisdom, Hana reminds her father, and us, of what is truly important. Willy the Wizard, written and iIllustrated by Anthony Browne (Candlewick Press) Ages: 5 to 8 Hans Christian Andersen Medal winner Anthony Browne creates charming and humorous chimp stories and the star of these tales is a loveable and quirky primate named Willy. If there is such a thing as the runt of an ape litter, then Willy would be it. Tiny and a bit picked on, Willy loves to play soccer but his eager attendance at practice cannot compensate for not being able to afford the right shoes or the fact that no one picks him for the team. WillyŐs down-and-out soccer dilemma takes a mystifying turn for the better when a mysterious glowing stranger gives Willy a pair of soccer shoes. Convinced that these togs are magic, he practices exuberantly and consistently until he makes the team. This victory is overshadowed by the dark moment when Willy realizes he has forgotten his fabulous footwear and is about to enter a big game without his magic. Yet, neither the laughter of the crowd at his small stature as he enters the playing field nor the fact that he feels lost without his shoes can stop Willy from playing an amazing game. Willy discovers, through the help of a spirited friend, that the magic he makes is not from a shoe shop, it comes from within. Paula Behr is a journalist and mother of two. She is dedicated to finding and sharing childrenŐs books with gentle and loving messages. Contact her at cyberbehrs@earthlink.net Copyright © Paula Behr 2004 |
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Oct 2004 |
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