BIBLIOGRAPHY

Smith, Dick King. 1990. The water horse. Ill. by David Parkins. New York: Yearling. ISBN 978-375842313

PLOT SUMMARY

When Kirstie found what appeared to be a large “Mermaid’s Purse” on the beach after a storm, she and Angus, with the help of their grandfather, Grumble, took it home. When it hatched, the children and their grandfather are faced with a rapidly growing sea monster who eats everything in sight, including the family’s hard-to-come-by cans of sardines. The Water Horse is named Crusoe and soon becomes a focus of the children and Grumble. They spend all their time feeding him and moving him to progressively bigger homes where they hope he will be safe. When the time comes to teach Crusoe that not all humans can be trusted, Kirstie and Angus are heartbroken at the thought of hurting Crusoe’s feelings. The pen and ink drawings by Parkins complement the story with a cute and occasionally frightening monster who doesn’t always understand what is best for him. Based on “one of the most enduring and intriguing legends of our time”, The Water Horse will enchant readers of all ages and will feed the imaginations of those who are not sure what they believe.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)

The Water Horse is set in a small town in Scotland in the early part of 1930. Smith’s description of the Scottish coast gives the feel of a lifelong native, and the food prepared by the harried mom, from cans of sardines to a breakfast of porridge, eggs, dry toast and tea, illustrates to readers some of the traditional dishes of Scotland. Along with the food and the countryside, Smith uses the terms loch and lochan rather than the Americanized terms lake or inlet. The names of the characters are ones that readers would expect to find on the western coast of Scotland, also. From Postie Macnab, the postman to  Angus and Kirstie themselves, the names and the language of the characters take readers into Scotland as surely as does Smith’s description of the many lochs that surround the family’s home.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

School Library Journal. Set in the 1930s, this story tells of a young Scottish girl, Kirstie, and her brother, Angus, who find a mysterious egg capsule washed up on shore after a storm and take it home. To their delight, this “mermaid’s purse” hatches into a lovable sea monster they call Crusoe. The characters are believable and, since King-Smith relates events from the point of view of the water horse as well as those of Kirstie and her family, readers get to know the friendly, not-at-all-fearsome monster.

Kirkus Reviews. Searching for treasure washed up by a fierce coastal storm, eight-year-old Kirstie discovers a strange looking package-shaped object with long tendrils poking out from each of its four corners. When it hatches overnight, she finds herself the proud but puzzled keeper of what her grandfather identifies as a water horseþa sea creature of mythic stature, with a gentle nature but a ravenous appetite.

CONNECTIONS

Readers can use this book as a springboard to research this and other legends that are well-known—Bigfoot, Yeti (Abominable Snowman), the Bermuda Triangle, etc.

Look for these other books about mysterious legends:

Walker, Paul Robert. Bigfoot and other legendary creatures.ISBN 9780152171479.

Miller, Karen. Monsters and water beasts: creatures of fact or fiction? ISBN 9780805079025

Oxlade, Chris. Mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. ISBN 9780431019208

Brassey, Richard. Nessie the Loch Ness Monster. ISBN 9781858813097

Lynette, Rachel. The abominable snowman. ISBN 0737734485

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fox, Mem. 1983. Possum magic. Ill. by Julie Vivas. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers. ISBN 0132005722

PLOT SUMMARY

When Hush was a very small possum, Grandma Poss made him invisible to protect him from predators and keep him safe. Although being invisible allowed Hush to get away with a lot of fun things like sliding down kangaroos and getting squished by wombats, one day Hush wonders what she looks like. Thus begins the adventure of a lifetime that finds Hush and Grandma Poss traveling from place to place in Australia, eating different foods at each location—all in an effort to make Hush visible. The varied techniques of Vivas’ illustrations not only complement the text, but also draw readers into the world of the Australian animals. The simple outline map and glossary at the end of the book explain Australian dishes, and make readers wish for a kitchen, a cookbook, a sample, and even a sequal.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)

From Grandma Poss’ bush magic we find Hush, a cute, cuddly possum who bears more resemblance to a bush baby than the possums that we see raiding the garbage cans during the night hours. Hush is invisible for his own protection. Grandma Poss doesn’t want Hush to get eaten by snakes or any of the other predators that would love to each a cute little possum. Grandma Poss remembers that the cure for invisibility has something to do with People food, so off they go on a tour of Australia. From the Australian cities visited by the duo to the distinctly Australian “people food” that Grandma feeds Hush, readers get a humorous, sweet, and somewhat magical view of Australia and its foods. The illustrations by Vivas, although very cute, show realistic characteristics of Australian animals including emus, wombats, and dingoes. Although Possum Magic has distinctly Australian characters and dialect, the story will have universal appeal for readers looking for a good story.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

School Library Journal. Grandma Poss uses bush magic to make Hush invisible, but when Hush wants to see herself again, Grandma can’t remember which particular Australian food is needed to reverse the spell. Traveling around the continent in search of an antidote, Grandma and Hush sample Anzac biscuits, mornay, vegemite, and pavlova until the right delicacy is found.

Children’s Literature. Possum Magic casts two Australian bush possums in starring roles but also features wombats, dingoes, and emus, rendered endearing by Julie Vivas’ soft-toned watercolors. In addition to introducing Australian animals, Fox takes her possums on an eating adventure in search of the Australian foods-vegemite sandwiches, pavlovas, and lamingtons-that will work a necessary magic.

CONNECTIONS

This book can be used as an introduction to Australia and its wildlife. It can also be used to discuss the Australian culture as it relates to food.

Look for these other books about Australian creatures:

Fox, Mem. Koala Lou.ISBN 9780152000769.

Peterson, David. Australia. ISBN 9780516263724

Osborne, Mary Pope. Dingoes at dinnertime. ISBN 9780679890669

Roth, Susan L. The biggest frog in Australia. ISBN 9780689833144

Carmi, Rebecca. Expedition down under. ISBN 9780439204248

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Orlev, Uri. 2003. Run, boy, run. Translated by Hillel Halkin. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books. ISBN 0618164650.

PLOT SUMMARY

Srulik Frydman was eight years old when, during World War II, his father took his mother and him to the Polish side of their home town of Blonie. The family was trying to escape to make a better life for themselves away from the German soldiers. When Srulik’s father was captured, he and his mother returned home to their lives of hardship. Soon after, Srulik’s mother vanished, and Srulik was left on his own, with no family and no friends. He quickly joined a group of Polish boys who took him into their gang. The group was the first of many that Srulik joined, and then left, usually when it was discovered that he was a Jew. One day when he was on the run, he found his father who told him “to forget your name. Wipe it from your memory”. But even if you forget everything—even if you forget me and Mama—never forget that you’re a Jew.” Srulik takes on the new name of Jurek Staniak and portrays himself as a Polish boy whose parents were killed. He is constantly on the move as others discover his true heritage, but through it all, he remains true to himself. Jurek overcomes each hardship that is thrown in his way and becomes a stronger person who grows proud of his heritage and background.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)

During the first part of the story when Srulik is living with his Jewish family, the characters mentioned have Jewish names and celebrate Jewish customs. Srulik has memories of celebrating Passover with his family before the war broke out. Most of the story revolves around Jurek’s life and his attempts at normalcy in what readers will consider an abnormal situation. The tale of a Jewish boy in Poland during World War II is fraught with dangers, mistrust and loneliness. Jurek occasionally finds temporary homes with Polish nationalists, some of whom give him a job and shelter, and others who only want to turn him over to the Germans. Each family is distinctly Polish, celebrating Polish customs, called by Polish names, and eating Polish food. However, when it comes to religion, each Polish family is anxious to ensure that Jurek becomes a good Catholic. The Catholic religion is discussed in passing as is Jurek’s confirmation. Jurek becomes so bound in the Catholic faith that when Jewish families attempt to adopt him after the war is over, he has trouble giving up his Catholic ways for what he knows is his heritage. Although the cultural heritage of Jurek and his acquaintances along the way continuously identify the characters with their heritage, the details are woven in a skillful way that does not stand out in any way.

Jurek’s transformation from a Jewish boy to a Polish Catholic and back to a Jewish boy will entrance readers who are interested in this period in history as well as those who enjoy adventure stories and the success of the underdog. This story is an excellent complement to studies of World War II and the treatment of Jews across Europe during this era in history.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Kirkus Reviews .Based on a true story, this tale of one Jewish orphan’s survival during the Holocaust boggles the imagination. Srulik, separated from his parents in the Warsaw ghetto at the age of 9, begins an odyssey that takes him into the Polish countryside, where he must literally remake himself to survive.

Publisher’s Weekly. Orlev (The Island on Bird Street), an award-winning writer and Holocaust survivor who now lives in Israel, devotes this memorable novel to the extraordinary true story of an orphaned Jewish boy’s experiences in Poland during the war. As in most such tales, eight-year-old Srulik’s account combines encounters with the unfathomably cruel and the genuinely charitable. Readers who have some familiarity with Holocaust memoirs will not be surprised by stunning coincidences and improbable events; others may grasp that survival against nearly insuperable odds depended on not one but many unlikely twists of fate.

CONNECTIONS

Students who are studying World War II, the Holocaust, or the history of the Jewish people can research the history of Jews in Poland, especially children during this time period.

Look for these other books about children during the Holocaust:

Schnur, Steven. The shadow children. ISBN 9780688132811.

Frank, Anne. The diary of a young girl. ISBN 9780553296983

Orlev, Uri. The island on Bird Street. ISBN 9780395616239

Isaacs, Anne. Torn thread. ISBN 9780590603645

Wilkomirski, Binjamin. Fragments: memories of a wartime childhood. ISBN 9780805210897