Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

New and Noteworthy

1985; Johns Hopkins University Press; Volume: 10; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1353/chq.0.0535

1553-1201

Marilyn Apseloff,

Themes in Literature Analysis

New and Noteworthy Marilyn Apseloff Footnotes (Quarterly readers are invited to send short reviews of recent interesting books to Marilyn Apseloff, English Department, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242.) Grandfather Twilight, by Barbara Berger (Philomel Books, 1984). Beautifully told, with a mythical quality, this picture book personifies twilight as it descends upon land and sea. Soft acrylic paintings capture the mood of the fantasy perfectly. Early Reading. M.A. The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien, ill. Michael Hague (Houghton, 1984). Although Tolkien felt that his book should not be illustrated, he might have relented had he seen Michael Hague's paintings, all the more impressive in the book's large format. The sheer number of them, some in double-spaced spreads, is surprising: almost fifty paintings are included, most of them highly dramatic. Tolkien's skillfully-wrought fantasy about the adventures of Bilbo Baggins has become a pleasure to look at as well as to read. Later Reading. M.A. Gaffer Sampson's Luck, by Jill Paton Walsh, ill. Brock Cole (Farrar/Straus/Giroux). James and his parents have moved to a new home, and James must undergo the traditional struggle for acceptance. Walsh handles his problems with originality and flair as James shows his courage and independence. Through an old man and a young girl, he learns the meaning of friendship, too. Middle Reading. M.A. Boy, by Roald Dahl (Farrar/Straus/Giroux). Dahl's flair for storytelling and the unexpected continue in this series of tales about his own childhood, complete with photographs, excerpts from letters, and sketches. His family and friends are recalled, often in humorous situations and in vivid detail. There is plenty of drama, too, for the very young Dahl thought at one point that he had murdered someone. School experiences come sharply alive under Dahl's skillful telling. Later Reading. M.A. Where the River Begins, by Thomas Locker (Dial, 1984). Two boys and their grandfather set out to find the source of the river that flows past their house. The simple, warm plot is highlighted by magnificent oil landscape paintings on every facing page. Middle Reading. M.A. A Mouse's Tale, told by Naomi Lewis, ill. Wayne Anderson (Harper & Row, 1984). George, a poor church mouse, loves Barley Mow, a mouse-princess. With courage and magical help, he sets out to win her. His quest is enhanced by highly imaginative paintings on each facing page and a small black and white drawing at the top of each page of text. The illustrations are full of details, and fascinating. Middle Reading. M.A. More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, collected and retold by Alvin Schwartz, ill. Stephen Gammel (Lippincott, 1984). A sequel to Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark, this book contains very brief tales, some humorous, some eerie, some with familiar overtones, all perfectly illustrated by Gammell. There are sources given in the back, along with some commentary. A bibliography of books and articles is also included. Entertaining reading. Middle Reading. M.A. Guinea Pigs Far and Near, by Kate Duke (Dutton, 1984). In a highly entertaining fashion, guinea pigs and friends introduce a variety of concepts to the young child (across, above, apart, etc.). Large print and delightful situations. Early Reading. M.A. Who Goes to the Park, by Warabe Aska (Tundra, 1984). Magnificent, imaginative oil paintings enrich a series of poems about Toronto's High Park, showing it in all of the seasons. Although there is a feeling of sameness to the seven-line poems, the moods in the paintings are constantly shifting, often mesmerizing in their fantasy. Early to Later Reading. M.A. Little Red Riding Hood, by Charles Perrault, ill. Sarah Moon (Creative Education, 1983). This highly controversial winner of the Bologna International Book Fair Grand Prize for graphics features stark, dramatic black and white photos that give a chilling contemporary flavor to the traditional cautionary tale, emphasizing the consequences of Little Red Riding Hood's disobedience. Middle to Later Reading. M.A. Cloudy-Bright, by John Rowe Townsend (Lippincott, 1984). A camera brings two students together (they are from different towns in England), and romance begins to bloom. The story alternates between Jenny...